U.S. patent application number 10/380311 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for data distribution system, data distribution method, data distribution apparatus, server, medium, and program.
Invention is credited to Kobayashi, Hideaki, Nishigori, Yoshihisa, Nishii, Yoshimi, Tsuda, Kenjirou.
Application Number | 20040068506 10/380311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18764794 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi, Hideaki ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Data distribution system, data distribution method, data
distribution apparatus, server, medium, and program
Abstract
A data distributing system of the present invention is a data
distributing system provided with: information providing
apparatuses 103a and 103b of providing data that is to be an object
of distribution; an information accepting apparatus 111 of
accepting the provided data; a distribution information storing
apparatus 114a of storing the accepted data as distributable data;
an information distributing apparatus 116a of distributing, as
voice data, at least a principal part of the distributable data
through networks 102a and 102b based on (1) a request for
distribution of data desired by a receiving side and/or (2) the
number of times based on a predetermined criterion; and information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a to 104c of obtaining
the distributed data.
Inventors: |
Kobayashi, Hideaki; (Hyogo,
JP) ; Tsuda, Kenjirou; (Osaka, JP) ;
Nishigori, Yoshihisa; (Osaka, JP) ; Nishii,
Yoshimi; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RatnerPrestia
One Westlakes Berwyn Suite 301
PO Box 980
Valley Forge
PA
19842-0980
US
|
Family ID: |
18764794 |
Appl. No.: |
10/380311 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
September 12, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP01/07895 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ; 707/999.1;
707/E17.032 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/951 20190101;
G06F 16/68 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/100 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2000 |
JP |
2000-279850 |
Claims
1. A data distributing system of performing distribution of data
through a network the number of times based on a predetermined
criterion, said data distributing system comprising: a data
providing apparatus of providing data that is to be an object of
said distribution; a data accepting apparatus of accepting data
provided by said data providing apparatus; a distribution data
storing apparatus of storing, as distributable data, all or part of
data accepted by said data accepting apparatus; a data distributing
apparatus of distributing, as voice data, at least a principal part
of the distributable data through the network based on (1) a
request for distribution of data desired by a receiving side and/or
(2) the number of times; a data obtaining apparatus of obtaining
the data distributed by said data distributing apparatus; and a
reproducing apparatus of reproducing the voice data obtained by
said data obtaining apparatus.
2. A data distributing system according to claim 1, comprising: a
selected information accepting apparatus of accepting, through the
network, selected information from the receiving side for selecting
identification information of the desired data by use of a
predetermined list; a selected information storing apparatus of
storing the selected information accepted by said selected
information accepting apparatus; an individual list distributing
apparatus of creating, as an individual list, a list by means of
extracting identification information of data common to both the
stored selected information and the distributable data, and
distributing the individual list to the receiving side; and a
distribution requesting apparatus of requesting distribution of the
data desired by the receiving side as the request for distribution
from the receiving side based on the distributed individual list,
wherein said data distributing apparatus distributes the data based
on the request for distribution from said distribution requesting
apparatus.
3. A data distributing system according to claim 2, comprising a
data storing apparatus of temporarily storing all of the data
accepted by said data accepting apparatus, wherein said
distributable data is, of the data stored in the data storing
apparatus, data that is determined to be distributable based on a
predetermined criterion and is copied and stored in said
distribution data storing apparatus, and said selected information
accepting apparatus transmits, as the predetermined list, a full
list which is a list containing identification information of all
of the data stored in said data storing apparatus, to said data
obtaining apparatus through the network when an access is made from
the receiving side.
4. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein said
individual list distributing apparatus adds CM data for making an
advertisement to the individual list, and distributes the
individual list to said data obtaining apparatus.
5. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein said
individual list distributing apparatus adds, to the individual
list, location information indicating an address at which said data
distributing apparatus is located, and distributes the individual
list to said data obtaining apparatus, and the request for
distribution by said distribution requesting apparatus is made
based on the location information.
6. A data distributing system according to claim 5, wherein said
data obtaining apparatus, after the distributed data is obtained
and stored, replaces the location information included in the
individual list with address information of an area in which the
storage is performed, and said reproduction is performed based on
the address information.
7. A data distributing system according to claim 4, wherein said
data obtaining apparatus adds, to the obtained data, the CM data
distributed being added to the individual list, and stores the
data.
8. A data distributing system according to claim 7, wherein said
reproducing apparatus comprises a display of displaying character
data and/or image data; said CM data includes character data and/or
image data; and the character data and/or the image data included
in the stored CM data is displayed by use of said display.
9. A data distributing system according to claim 5, wherein said
distribution data storing apparatus and said data distributing
apparatus are provided in a plural number, the distributable data
of the data stored in said data storing apparatus is copied and
stored so as to be dispersed to said plural distribution data
storing apparatuses, said data distributing apparatus and said
distribution data storing apparatus have a predetermined
correspondence with each other, and said location information is
generated based on the dispersion of the distributable data to said
plural distribution data storing apparatuses.
10. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein said
individual list distributing apparatus is provided in a plural
number, and to said individual list, information for said data
obtaining apparatus to change the individual list distributing
apparatus to which the individual list is to be distributed
thereafter is added.
11. A data distributing system according to claim 8, wherein said
individual list includes expiration date data indicating an
expiration date of the CM data; and said CM data is reproduced
based on the expiration date data.
12. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein said
reproducing apparatus reproduces the data obtained by the data
obtaining apparatus after converting all or part of the data into a
different format.
13. A data distributing system according to claim 12, comprising a
character display apparatus of displaying character data, wherein
said reproducing the obtained data after converting all or part of
the data into a different format is that (1) of the obtained data,
all or part of voice data is converted into character data and the
character data is displayed by use of said character display
apparatus or that (2) when the obtained data includes character
data, all or part of the character data is converted into voice
data and the voice data is reproduced by use of said reproducing
apparatus.
14. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein a
principal part, distributed as the voice data, of the provided data
that is to be an object of distribution is held as voice data.
15. A data distributing system according to claim 3, comprising a
data converting apparatus of converting the provided data to
distribute at least a principal part of the distributable data as
voice data through the network.
16. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein to the
data that is to be an object of distribution, valid region
information indicating a region where the distribution is
effectively performed is added, said receiving side transmits,
together with said request for distribution, current location
information indicating a current location where the request for
distribution is made; and said distribution of the data by said
data distributing apparatus is performed based on the added valid
region information and the transmitted current location
information.
17. A data distributing system according to claim 3, wherein said
network is the Internet; said data providing apparatus is a
personal computer connected to the Internet and incorporating a
software program of performing the provision; means including said
data accepting apparatus and said selected information accepting
apparatus is a WWW server connected to the Internet; said
individual list distributing apparatus is a file server connected
to the Internet; said data distributing apparatus is a file server
connected to the Internet; said data obtaining apparatus is a
personal computer connected to the Internet and incorporating a
software program of performing the reception; and said reproducing
apparatus is a personal computer incorporating a software program
of performing the reproduction.
18. A data distributing system according to claim 1, comprising a
distribution data identification information accepting apparatus of
accepting, through the network, distribution data identification
information, from the receiving side, for identifying
identification information of the desired data by use of a
predetermined list, wherein said data distributing apparatus
extracts data that is to be an object of distribution, from the
stored distributable data based on the accepted distribution data
identification information, and distributes the extracted data to
the receiving side.
19. A data distributing system according to claim 18, wherein said
data of which distribution is desired by the receiving side is data
to be distributed over a plural number of times and contents of the
pieces of data transmitted at the plural number of times are
associated with each other, said distribution data identification
information includes reservation information indicating that the
plural number of times of distribution is reserved, and said data
distributing apparatus performs the distribution based on the
plural number of times.
20. A data distributing system according to claim 19, wherein said
predetermined list is a full list containing identification
information of all of the accepted data and distributed to the
receiving side through the network.
21. A data distributing system according to claim 2, wherein said
individual list is updated based on the request for distribution
from the receiving side, and is distributed to the receiving
side.
22. A data distributing system according to claim 2, wherein said
individual list is automatically updated based on update of the
distributable data, and is distributed to the receiving side.
23. (Amended) A data distributing system comprising: a distribution
data storing apparatus of storing, as distributable data, data that
is to be an object of distribution through a network; a selected
information accepting apparatus of accepting selected information,
from a receiving side, for selecting identification information of
the data being desired by use of a predetermined list; a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by said selected information accepting apparatus; an
individual list creating apparatus of creating an individual list
at least including identification information of data common to the
selected information stored in said selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable data, and having information
enabling identification of the distributable data; a distribution
requesting apparatus of identifying data of which distribution is
desired based on the created individual list, and transmitting the
data from the receiving side as a request for distribution; and a
data distributing apparatus of performing distribution of the data
based on the request for distribution from said distribution
requesting apparatus.
24. A data distributing system according to claim 23, wherein said
predetermined list also contains data that is not distributable at
the point of time when the selected information is accepted, but
can become distributable after the point of time; said selection of
the data being desired is (1) a request for distribution of data
which is distributable at the point of time and/or (2) a
reservation of distribution of data which can become distributable
after the point of time; and said individual list creating
apparatus inserts the reserved data as the distributable data into
the individual list created after the point of time when the
reserved data becomes distributable.
25. A data distributing system according to claim 24, wherein said
individual list is updated based on the request for distribution
from the receiving side, and is distributed to the receiving
side.
26. A data distributing system according to claim 24, wherein said
individual list is automatically updated when the reserved data
becomes distributable, and is distributed to the receiving
side.
27. A data distributing system according to claim 23, wherein to
said data that is to be an object of distribution, valid region
information indicating a region where the distribution is
effectively performed is added; said receiving side transmits,
together with the request for distribution, current location
information indicating a location where the request for
distribution is made; and said distribution of the data by said
data distributing apparatus is performed based on the added valid
region information and the transmitted current location
information.
28. A data distributing system according to claim 23, wherein said
network is the Internet; said selected information accepting
apparatus is a WWW server connected to the Internet; said
individual list distributing apparatus is a file server connected
to the Internet; said distribution requesting apparatus is a
personal computer connected to the Internet and incorporating a
software program of performing transmission as the request for
distribution; and said data distributing apparatus is a file server
connected to the Internet.
29. A data distributing method of a data distribution service
provider performing data distribution service by using the data
distributing system according to claim 4, wherein said CM data
comprises CM voice data for making an advertisement by voice and/or
CM character data for making an advertisement by characters which
CM voice data and/or CM character data is provided by an
advertiser; and said data distribution service provider obtains an
advertisement fee from the advertiser.
30. A data distributing method according to claim 29, wherein said
data provider obtains a data provision fee from the data
distribution service provider based on a selected data acceptance
condition from a user.
31. A data distributing system comprising: storing means of storing
data; distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means; network means of performing the distribution of the
data by said distributing means; and terminal means of receiving
data distributed through said network means, wherein said
distribution is performed the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion as distribution of data including voice
data.
32. A data distributing apparatus comprising: storing means of
storing data; and distributing means of distributing data stored in
said storing means to a user's terminal through a network, wherein
said distribution is performed the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion as distribution of data including voice
data.
33. (Deleted)
34. (Deleted)
35. A server of performing distribution of data through a network
the number of times based on a predetermined criterion, said server
comprising: a data accepting apparatus of accepting provision of
the data that is to be an object of distribution; a distribution
data storing apparatus of storing, as distributable data, all or
part of the data accepted by said data accepting apparatus; and a
data distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice data, at
least a principal part of the distributable data through the
network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired by
a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times.
36. (Amended) A server comprising: a distribution data storing
apparatus of storing, as distributable data, data that is to be an
object of distribution through a network; a selected information
accepting apparatus of accepting selected information, from a
receiving side, for selecting identification information of the
data being desired by use of a predetermined list; a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by said selected information accepting apparatus; an
individual list creating apparatus of creating an individual list
at least including identification information of data common to the
selected information stored in said selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable data, and having information
enabling identification of the distributable data; and a data
distributing apparatus of performing distribution of the data based
on a request for distribution of the data of which distribution is
desired which data is identified by the receiving side based on the
created individual list.
37. A server comprising: storing means of storing data; and
distributing means of distributing data stored in said storing
means, wherein said distribution of the data to a terminal
apparatus by said distributing means through network means is
performed the number of times based on a predetermined criterion as
distribution of data including voice data.
38. (Deleted)
39. A data providing apparatus of providing, through a network,
data that is to be an object of distribution, to a server of
performing distribution of the data to a terminal side the number
of times based on a predetermined criterion, said server
comprising: a data accepting apparatus of accepting the data
provided by said data providing apparatus; a distribution data
storing apparatus of storing, as distributable data, all or part of
the data accepted by said data accepting apparatus; and a data
distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice data, at least a
principal part of the distributable data through the network based
on (1) a request for distribution of data desired by a receiving
side and/or (2) the number of times.
40. (Amended) A data providing apparatus of providing, through a
network, data that is to be an object of distribution, to a server
of performing distribution of the data to a terminal side, said
server comprising: a distribution data storing apparatus of
storing, as distributable data, the data that is to be an object of
distribution through the network; a selected information accepting
apparatus of accepting selected information from a receiving side
for selecting identification information of the data being desired
by use of a predetermined list; a selected information storing
apparatus of storing the selected information accepted by said
selected information accepting apparatus; an individual list
creating apparatus of creating an individual list at least
including identification information of data common to the selected
information stored in said selected information storing apparatus
and the distributable data, and having information enabling
identification of the distributable data; and a data distributing
apparatus of performing the distribution of the data based on a
request for distribution of the data of which distribution is
desired which data is identified by the receiving side based on the
created individual list.
41. A data providing apparatus of providing, through a network,
data that is to be an object of distribution, to a server of
performing distribution of the data to a terminal, said server
comprising: storing means of storing data; and distributing means
of distributing data stored in said storing means to the terminal
through the network, wherein said distribution of the data by said
distributing means is performed the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion as distribution of data including voice
data.
42. (Deleted)
43. A terminal apparatus of receiving distribution of data through
a network from a server of performing the distribution of the data
the number of times based on a predetermined criterion, and
reproducing the data, said terminal apparatus comprising: a data
obtaining apparatus of obtaining at least a principal part of
distributable data, the data distributed as voice data from said
server through the network based on (1) a request for distribution
of desired data and/or (2) the number of times; and a reproducing
apparatus of reproducing the voice data obtained by the data
obtaining apparatus.
44. (Amended) A terminal apparatus of receiving distribution of
data from a server comprising the following (1) to (5) and
reproducing the data: (1) a distribution data storing apparatus of
storing data that is to be an object of distribution through a
network as distributable data; (2) a selected information accepting
apparatus of accepting selected information from a receiving side
for selecting identification information of the data being desired
by use of a predetermined list; (3) a selected information storing
apparatus of storing the selected information accepted by said
selected information accepting apparatus; (4) an individual list
creating apparatus of creating an individual list at least
including identification information of data common to the selected
information stored in said selected information storing apparatus
and the distributable data, and having information enabling
identification of the distributable data; and (5) a data
distributing apparatus of performing the distribution of the data
based on a predetermined request for distribution, wherein said
terminal apparatus comprises: a distribution requesting apparatus
of identifying the data of which distribution is desired based on
the created individual list, and transmitting the data to the
server as the request for distribution.
45. A terminal apparatus comprising: terminal means of receiving
data distributed through network means; and reproducing means of
reproducing the received data, wherein said distribution is
performed the number of times based on a predetermined criterion as
distribution of data including voice data.
46. (Deleted)
47. A data reproducing terminal apparatus of reproducing data
distributed from a server of performing data distribution the
number of times based on a predetermined criterion, said data
reproducing terminal apparatus comprising: a reproducing apparatus
of reproducing at least a principal part of distributable data, the
voice data distributed as voice data from said server through the
network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired by
a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times.
48. (Amended) A data reproducing terminal apparatus comprising
reproducing means of reproducing data distributed from a server
comprising: (1) a distribution data storing apparatus of storing
data that is to be an object of distribution through a network as
distributable data; (2) a selected information accepting apparatus
of accepting selected information from a receiving side for
selecting identification information of the data being desired by
use of a predetermined list; (3) a selected information storing
apparatus of storing the selected information accepted by said
selected information accepting apparatus; (4) an individual list
creating apparatus of creating an individual list at least
including identification information of data common to the selected
information stored in said selected information storing apparatus
and the distributable data, and having information enabling
identification of the distributable data; and (5) a data
distributing apparatus of performing the data distribution based on
a request for distribution of the data of which distribution is
desired which data is identified by the receiving side based on the
created individual list.
49. A data reproducing terminal apparatus comprising reproducing
means of reproducing data distributed through network means and
received, wherein said distribution is performed the number of
times based on a predetermined criterion as distribution of data
including voice data.
50. (Deleted)
51. (Amended) A program of causing a computer to function as all or
part of said apparatuses or means of the present invention
according to any of claims 1 to 28, 31 to 41 and 43 to 49.
52. A program of causing a computer to execute all or part of said
steps of the present invention according to claim 29 or 30.
53. (Amended) A medium carrying a program of causing a computer to
function as all or part of said apparatuses or means of the present
invention according to any of claims 1 to 28, 31 to 41 and 43 to
49, said medium being characterized by being
computer-processable.
54. A medium carrying a program of causing a computer to execute
all or part of said steps of the present invention according to
claim 29 or 30, said medium being characterized by being
computer-processable.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a data distributing system,
a data distributing method, a data transmitting apparatus, a
server, a data providing apparatus, a terminal apparatus, a data
reproducing terminal apparatus, a medium and a program of
distributing voice information by use of, for example, the
Internet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Examples of information distributing systems using the
Internet include electronic mail. Moreover, mail magazines which
are a character information service using electronic mail have
rapidly been spreading.
[0003] However, such a mail magazine system faces a problem that
information cannot be displayed unless an information terminal
having a display screen such as a personal computer is used because
contents are character information by electronic mail. Moreover, it
is difficult for the user to read the information while doing other
things.
[0004] Moreover, in electronic mail, in addition to characters,
information such as program files, voice data files, image data
files and document files can be distributed by being attached to
electronic mail messages.
[0005] However, in the electronic mail system, electronic mail
messages normally pass through a plurality of electronic mail
servers before reaching from the sender to the receiver, and in the
course thereof, not all servers allow the attachment of files and
there is a limitation to the size of the attached files. In
addition, there is a limitation to the capacity of the mail box of
the mail server for reception (POP server). For these reasons, it
is difficult to distribute an electronic mail message with an
attachment of large-scale information of, for example, more than 10
megabytes. Although a service has been provided such that the user
can download large-scale information such as a program file from a
predetermined home page by accessing the home page every time, such
an operation is cumbersome for the user.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problem of the prior art, an
object of the present invention is to provide a data distributing
system, for example, with which the user can enjoy voice
information comprising contents desired by him or her.
[0007] Moreover, in view of the above-mentioned problem of the
prior art, an object of the present invention is to realize a new
data distribution service, for example, of supplying voice
information through the Internet.
[0008] Moreover, in view of the above-mentioned problem of the
prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a data
distributing system, for example, enabling large-scale information
to be distributed without any load on the user.
[0009] A first invention of the present invention (corresponding to
claim 1) is a data distributing system of performing distribution
of data through a network the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion, said data distributing system
comprising:
[0010] a data providing apparatus of providing data that is to be
an object of said distribution;
[0011] a data accepting apparatus of accepting data provided by
said data providing apparatus;
[0012] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, all or part of data accepted by said data
accepting apparatus;
[0013] a data distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice
data, at least a principal part of the distributable data through
the network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired
by a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times;
[0014] a data obtaining apparatus of obtaining the data distributed
by said data distributing apparatus; and
[0015] a reproducing apparatus of reproducing the voice data
obtained by said data obtaining apparatus.
[0016] A second invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 2) is a data distributing system according to the first
invention of the present invention, comprising:
[0017] a selected information accepting apparatus of accepting,
through the network, selected information from the receiving side
for selecting identification information of the desired data by use
of a predetermined list;
[0018] a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by said selected information
accepting apparatus;
[0019] an individual list distributing apparatus of creating, as an
individual list, a list by means of extracting identification
information of data common to both the stored selected information
and the distributable data, and distributing the individual list to
the receiving side; and
[0020] a distribution requesting apparatus of requesting
distribution of the data desired by the receiving side as the
request for distribution from the receiving side based on the
distributed individual list,
[0021] wherein said data distributing apparatus distributes the
data based on the request for distribution from said distribution
requesting apparatus.
[0022] A third invention of the present invention (corresponding to
claim 3) is a data distributing system according to the second
invention of the present invention, comprising a data storing
apparatus of temporarily storing all of the data accepted by said
data accepting apparatus,
[0023] wherein said distributable data is, of the data stored in
the data storing apparatus, data that is determined to be
distributable based on a predetermined criterion and is copied and
stored in said distribution data storing apparatus, and
[0024] said selected information accepting apparatus transmits, as
the predetermined list, a full list which is a list containing
identification information of all of the data stored in said data
storing apparatus, to said data obtaining apparatus through the
network when an access is made from the receiving side.
[0025] A fourth invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 4) is a data distributing system according to the third
invention of the present inveniton,
[0026] wherein said individual list distributing apparatus adds CM
data for making an advertisement to the individual list, and
distributes the individual list to said data obtaining
apparatus.
[0027] A fifth invention of the present invention (corresponding to
claim 5) is a data distributing system according to the third
invention of the present invention,
[0028] wherein said individual list distributing apparatus adds, to
the individual list, location information indicating an address at
which said data distributing apparatus is located, and distributes
the individual list to said data obtaining apparatus, and
[0029] the request for distribution by said distribution requesting
apparatus is made based on the location information.
[0030] A sixth invention of the present invention (corresponding to
claim 6) is a data distributing system according to the fifth
invention of the present invention,
[0031] wherein said data obtaining apparatus, after the distributed
data is obtained and stored, replaces the location information
included in the individual list with address information of an area
in which the storage is performed, and
[0032] said reproduction is performed based on the address
information.
[0033] A seventh invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 7) is a data distributing system according to the fourth
invention of the present invention,
[0034] wherein said data obtaining apparatus adds, to the obtained
data, the CM data distributed being added to the individual list,
and stores the data.
[0035] An eighth invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 8) is a data distributing system according to the seventh
invention of the present invention,
[0036] wherein said reproducing apparatus comprises a display of
displaying character data and/or image data;
[0037] said CM data includes character data and/or image data;
and
[0038] the character data and/or the image data included in the
stored CM data is displayed by use of said display.
[0039] A ninth invention of the present invention (corresponding to
claim 9) is a data distributing system according to the fifth
invention of the present invention, wherein said distribution data
storing apparatus and said data distributing apparatus are provided
in a plural number,
[0040] the distributable data of the data stored in said data
storing apparatus is copied and stored so as to be dispersed to
said plural distribution data storing apparatuses,
[0041] said data distributing apparatus and said distribution data
storing apparatus have a predetermined correspondence with each
other, and
[0042] said location information is generated based on the
dispersion of the distributable data to said plural distribution
data storing apparatuses.
[0043] A tenth invention of the present invention (corresponding to
claim 10) is a data distributing system according to the third
invention of the present invention,
[0044] wherein said individual list distributing apparatus is
provided in a plural number, and
[0045] to said individual list, information for said data obtaining
apparatus to change the individual list distributing apparatus to
which the individual list is to be distributed thereafter is
added.
[0046] An eleventh invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 11) is a data distributing system according
to the eighth invention of the present invention,
[0047] wherein said individual list includes expiration date data
indicating an expiration date of the CM data; and
[0048] said CM data is reproduced based on the expiration date
data.
[0049] A twelfth invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 12) is a data distributing system according to the third
invention of the present invention,
[0050] wherein said reproducing apparatus reproduces the data
obtained by the data obtaining apparatus after converting all or
part of the data into a different format.
[0051] A thirteenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 13) is a data distributing system according
to the twelfth invention of the present invention, comprising a
character display apparatus of displaying character data,
[0052] wherein said reproducing the obtained data after converting
all or part of the data into a different format is that (1) of the
obtained data, all or part of voice data is converted into
character data and the character data is displayed by use of said
character display apparatus or that (2) when the obtained data
includes character data, all or part of the character data is
converted into voice data and the voice data is reproduced by use
of said reproducing apparatus.
[0053] A fourteenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 14) is a data distributing system according
to the third invention of the present invention,
[0054] wherein a principal part, distributed as the voice data, of
the provided data that is to be an object of distribution is held
as voice data.
[0055] A fifteenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 15) is a data distributing system according
to the third invention of the present invention, comprising a data
converting apparatus of converting the provided data to distribute
at least a principal part of the distributable data as voice data
through the network.
[0056] A sixteenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 16) is a data distributing system according
to the third invention of the present invention,
[0057] wherein to the data that is to be an object of distribution,
valid region information indicating a region where the distribution
is effectively performed is added,
[0058] said receiving side transmits, together with said request
for distribution, current location information indicating a current
location where the request for distribution is made; and
[0059] said distribution of the data by said data distributing
apparatus is performed based on the added valid region information
and the transmitted current location information.
[0060] A seventeenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 17) is a data distributing system according
to the third invention of the present invention,
[0061] wherein said network is the Internet;
[0062] said data providing apparatus is a personal computer
connected to the Internet and incorporating a software program of
performing the provision;
[0063] means including said data accepting apparatus and said
selected information accepting apparatus is a WWW server connected
to the Internet;
[0064] said individual list distributing apparatus is a file server
connected to the Internet;
[0065] said data distributing apparatus is a file server connected
to the Internet;
[0066] said data obtaining apparatus is a personal computer
connected to the Internet and incorporating a software program of
performing the reception; and
[0067] said reproducing apparatus is a personal computer
incorporating a software program of performing the
reproduction.
[0068] An eighteenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 18) is a data distributing system according
to the first invention of the present inveniton, comprising a
distribution data identification information accepting apparatus of
accepting, through the network, distribution data identification
information, from the receiving side, for identifying
identification information of the desired data by use of a
predetermined list,
[0069] wherein said data distributing apparatus extracts data that
is to be an object of distribution, from the stored distributable
data based on the accepted distribution data identification
information, and distributes the extracted data to the receiving
side.
[0070] A nineteenth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 19) is a data distributing system according
to the eighteenth invention of the present invention,
[0071] wherein said data of which distribution is desired by the
receiving side is data to be distributed over a plural number of
times and contents of the pieces of data transmitted at the plural
number of times are associated with each other,
[0072] said distribution data identification information includes
reservation information indicating that the plural number of times
of distribution is reserved, and
[0073] said data distributing apparatus performs the distribution
based on the plural number of times.
[0074] A twentieth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 20) is a data distributing system according
to the nineteenth invention of the present invention,
[0075] wherein said predetermined list is a full list containing
identification information of all of the accepted data and
distributed to the receiving side through the network.
[0076] A twenty-first invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 21) is a data distributing system according
to the second invention of the present inveniton,
[0077] wherein said individual list is updated based on the request
for distribution from the receiving side, and is distributed to the
receiving side.
[0078] A twenty-second invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 22) is a data distributing system according
to the second invention of the present invention,
[0079] wherein said individual list is automatically updated based
on update of the distributable data, and is distributed to the
receiving side.
[0080] A twenty-third invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 23) is a data distributing system
comprising:
[0081] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, data that is to be an object of distribution
through a network;
[0082] a selected information accepting apparatus of accepting
selected information, from a receiving side, for selecting
identification information of the data being desired by use of a
predetermined list;
[0083] a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by said selected information
accepting apparatus;
[0084] an individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an
individual list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list
and at least includes identification information of data common to
the selected information stored in said selected information
storing apparatus and the distributable data;
[0085] a distribution requesting apparatus of identifying data of
which distribution is desired based on the created individual list,
and transmitting the data from the receiving side as a request for
distribution; and
[0086] a data distributing apparatus of performing distribution of
the data based on the request for distribution from said
distribution requesting apparatus.
[0087] A twenty-fourth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 24) is a data distributing system according
to the twenty-third invention of the present invention,
[0088] wherein said predetermined list also contains data that is
not distributable at the point of time when the selected
information is accepted, but can become distributable after the
point of time;
[0089] said selection of the data being desired is (1) a request
for distribution of data which is distributable at the point of
time and/or (2) a reservation of distribution of data which can
become distributable after the point of time; and
[0090] said individual list creating apparatus inserts the reserved
data as the distributable data into the individual list created
after the point of time when the reserved data becomes
distributable.
[0091] A twenty-fifth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 25) is a data distributing system according
to the twenty-fourth invention of the present invention,
[0092] wherein said individual list is updated based on the request
for distribution from the receiving side, and is distributed to the
receiving side.
[0093] A twenty-sixth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 26) is a data distributing system according
to the twenty-fourth invention of the present invention,
[0094] wherein said individual list is automatically updated when
the reserved data becomes distributable, and is distributed to the
receiving side.
[0095] A twenty-seventh invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 27) is a data distributing system according
to the twenty-third invention of the present invention,
[0096] wherein to said data that is to be an object of
distribution, valid region information indicating a region where
the distribution is effectively performed is added;
[0097] said receiving side transmits, together with the request for
distribution, current location information indicating a location
where the request for distribution is made; and
[0098] said distribution of the data by said data distributing
apparatus is performed based on the added valid region information
and the transmitted current location information.
[0099] A twenty-eighth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 28) is a data distributing system according
to the twenty-third invention of the present invention,
[0100] wherein said network is the Internet;
[0101] said selected information accepting apparatus is a WWW
server connected to the Internet;
[0102] said individual list distributing apparatus is a file server
connected to the Internet;
[0103] said distribution requesting apparatus is a personal
computer connected to the Internet and incorporating a software
program of performing transmission as the request for distribution;
and
[0104] said data distributing apparatus is a file server connected
to the Internet.
[0105] A twenty-ninth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 29) is a data distributing method of a data
distribution service provider performing data distribution service
by using the data distributing system according to the fourth
invention of the present invention,
[0106] wherein said CM data comprises CM voice data for making an
advertisement by voice and/or CM character data for making an
advertisement by characters which CM voice data and/or CM character
data is provided by an advertiser; and
[0107] said data distribution service provider obtains an
advertisement fee from the advertiser.
[0108] A thirtieth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 30) is a data distributing method according
to the twenty-ninth invention of the present invention,
[0109] wherein said data provider obtains a data provision fee from
the data distribution service provider based on a selected data
acceptance condition from a user.
[0110] A thirty-first invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 31) is a data distributing system
comprising:
[0111] storing means of storing data;
[0112] distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means;
[0113] network means of performing the distribution of the data by
said distributing means; and
[0114] terminal means of receiving data distributed through said
network means,
[0115] wherein said distribution is performed the number of times
based on a predetermined criterion as distribution of data
including voice data.
[0116] A thirty-second invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 32) is a data distributing apparatus
comprising:
[0117] storing means of storing data; and
[0118] distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means to a user's terminal through a network,
[0119] wherein said distribution is performed the number of times
based on a predetermined criterion as distribution of data
including voice data.
[0120] A thirty-third invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 33) is a data distributing system
comprising:
[0121] storing means of storing data;
[0122] distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means;
[0123] network means of performing the distribution of the data by
said distributing means; and
[0124] terminal means of receiving data distributed through said
network means,
[0125] wherein said distribution is performed as distribution of
data including data other than music data as voice data.
[0126] A thirty-fourth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 34) is a data distributing apparatus
comprising:
[0127] storing means of storing data; and
[0128] distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means to a user's terminal through a network,
[0129] wherein said distribution is performed as distribution of
data including data other than music data as voice data.
[0130] A thirty-fifth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 35) is a server of performing distribution
of data through a network the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion, said server comprising:
[0131] a data accepting apparatus of accepting provision of the
data that is to be an object of distribution;
[0132] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, all or part of the data accepted by said data
accepting apparatus; and
[0133] a data distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice
data, at least a principal part of the distributable data through
the network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired
by a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times.
[0134] A thirty-sixth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 36) is a server comprising:
[0135] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, data that is to be an object of distribution
through a network;
[0136] a selected information accepting apparatus of accepting
selected information, from a receiving side, for selecting
identification information of the data being desired by use of a
predetermined list;
[0137] a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by said selected information
accepting apparatus;
[0138] an individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an
individual list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list
and at least includes identification information of data common to
the selected information stored in said selected information
storing apparatus and the distributable data; and
[0139] a data distributing apparatus of performing distribution of
the data based on a request for distribution of the data of which
distribution is desired which data is identified by the receiving
side based on the created individual list.
[0140] A thirty-seventh invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 37) is a server comprising:
[0141] storing means of storing data; and
[0142] distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means,
[0143] wherein said distribution of the data to a terminal
apparatus by said distributing means through network means is
performed the number of times based on a predetermined criterion as
distribution of data including voice data.
[0144] A thirty-eighth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 38) is a server comprising:
[0145] storing means of storing data; and
[0146] distributing means of distributing data including, as voice
data, data that is other than music data and is stored in said
storing means to a terminal, through network means.
[0147] A thirty-ninth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 39) is a data providing apparatus of
providing, through a network, data that is to be an object of
distribution, to a server of performing distribution of the data to
a terminal side the number of times based on a predetermined
criterion,
[0148] said server comprising:
[0149] a data accepting apparatus of accepting the data provided by
said data providing apparatus;
[0150] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, all or part of the data accepted by said data
accepting apparatus; and
[0151] a data distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice
data, at least a principal part of the distributable data through
the network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired
by a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times.
[0152] A fortieth invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 40) is a data providing apparatus of providing, through a
network, data that is to be an object of distribution, to a server
of performing distribution of the data to a terminal side,
[0153] said server comprising:
[0154] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, the data that is to be an object of
distribution through the network;
[0155] a selected information accepting apparatus of accepting
selected information from a receiving side for selecting
identification information of the data being desired by use of a
predetermined list;
[0156] a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by said selected information
accepting apparatus;
[0157] an individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an
individual list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list
and at least includes identification information of data common to
the selected information stored in said selected information
storing apparatus and the distributable data; and
[0158] a data distributing apparatus of performing the distribution
of the data based on a request for distribution of the data of
which distribution is desired which data is identified by the
receiving side based on the created individual list.
[0159] A forty-first invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 41) is a data providing apparatus of
providing, through a network, data that is to be an object of
distribution, to a server of performing distribution of the data to
a terminal,
[0160] said server comprising:
[0161] storing means of storing data; and
[0162] distributing means of distributing data stored in said
storing means to the terminal through the network,
[0163] wherein said distribution of the data by said distributing
means is performed the number of times based on a predetermined
criterion as distribution of data including voice data.
[0164] A forty-second invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 42) is a data providing apparatus of
providing, through a network, data that is to be an object of
distribution, to a server of performing distribution of the data to
a terminal,
[0165] said server comprising:
[0166] storing means of storing data; and
[0167] distributing means of distributing data including, as voice
data, data that is other than music data and is stored in said
storing means to the terminal through network means.
[0168] A forty-third invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 43) is a terminal apparatus of receiving
distribution of data through a network from a server of performing
the distribution of the data the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion, and reproducing the data, said terminal
apparatus comprising:
[0169] a data obtaining apparatus of obtaining at least a principal
part of distributable data, the data distributed as voice data from
said server through the network based on (1) a request for
distribution of desired data and/or (2) the number of times;
and
[0170] a reproducing apparatus of reproducing the voice data
obtained by the data obtaining apparatus.
[0171] A forty-fourth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 44) is a terminal apparatus of receiving
distribution of data from a server comprising the following (1) to
(5) and reproducing the data: (1) a distribution data storing
apparatus of storing data that is to be an object of distribution
through a network as distributable data; (2) a selected information
accepting apparatus of accepting selected information from a
receiving side for selecting identification information of the data
being desired by use of a predetermined list; (3) a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by said selected information accepting apparatus; (4) an
individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an individual
list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list and at least
includes identification information of data common to the selected
information stored in said selected information storing apparatus
and the distributable data; and (5) a data distributing apparatus
of performing the distribution of the data based on a predetermined
request for distribution, said terminal apparatus comprising:
[0172] a distribution requesting apparatus of identifying the data
of which distribution is desired based on the created individual
list, and transmitting the data to the server as the request for
distribution.
[0173] A forty-fifth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 45) is a terminal apparatus comprising:
[0174] terminal means of receiving data distributed through network
means; and
[0175] reproducing means of reproducing the received data,
[0176] wherein said distribution is performed the number of times
based on a predetermined criterion as distribution of data
including voice data.
[0177] A forty-sixth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 46) is a terminal apparatus comprising:
[0178] terminal means of receiving data distributed through network
means; and
[0179] reproducing means of reproducing the received data,
[0180] wherein said distribution is performed as distribution of
data including data other than music data as voice data.
[0181] A forty-seventh invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 47) is a data reproducing terminal
apparatus of reproducing data distributed from a server of
performing data distribution the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion, said data reproducing terminal apparatus
comprising:
[0182] a reproducing apparatus of reproducing at least a principal
part of distributable data, the voice data distributed as voice
data from said server through the network based on (1) a request
for distribution of data desired by a receiving side and/or (2) the
number of times.
[0183] A forth0eighth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 48) is a data reproducing terminal
apparatus comprising reproducing means of reproducing data
distributed from a server comprising: (1) a distribution data
storing apparatus of storing data that is to be an object of
distribution through a network as distributable data; (2) a
selected information accepting apparatus of accepting selected
information from a receiving side for selecting identification
information of the data being desired by use of a predetermined
list; (3) a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by said selected information
accepting apparatus; (4) an individual list creating apparatus of
creating, as an individual list, a list which is a part of the
predetermined list and at least includes identification information
of data common to the selected information stored in said selected
information storing apparatus and the distributable data; and (5) a
data distributing apparatus of performing the data distribution
based on a request for distribution of the data of which
distribution is desired which data is identified by the receiving
side based on the created individual list.
[0184] A forty-ninth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 49) is a data reproducing terminal
apparatus comprising reproducing means of reproducing data
distributed through network means and received,
[0185] wherein said distribution is performed the number of times
based on a predetermined criterion as distribution of data
including voice data.
[0186] A fiftieth invention of the present invention (corresponding
to claim 50) is a data reproducing terminal apparatus comprising
reproducing means of reproducing data distributed through network
means and received,
[0187] wherein said distribution is performed as distribution of
data including data other than music data as voice data.
[0188] A fifty-first invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 51) is a program of causing a computer to
function as all or part of said apparatuses or means of the present
invention according to any of the first to the twenty-eighth
inventions and the thirty-first to the fiftieth inventions of the
present invention.
[0189] A fifty-second invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 52) is a program of causing a computer to
execute all or part of said steps of the present invention
according to the twenty-ninth or the thirtieth invention of the
present invention.
[0190] A fifty-third invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 53) is a medium carrying a program of
causing a computer to function as all or part of said apparatuses
or means of the present invention according to any of the first to
the twenty-eighth inventions and the thirty-first to the fiftieth
inventions of the present invention, said medium being
characterized by being computer-processable.
[0191] A fifty-fourth invention of the present invention
(corresponding to claim 54) is a medium carrying a program of
causing a computer to execute all or part of said steps of the
present invention according to the twenty-ninth or the thirtieth
invention of the present invention, said medium being characterized
by being computer-processable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0192] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a voice
information distributing system of a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0193] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a distribution
information list according to the first embodiment of the present
invention which list includes CM character information;
[0194] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the distribution
information list according to the first embodiment of the present
invention which list includes location information indicating the
location of a list distributing apparatus;
[0195] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the distribution
information list according to the first embodiment of the present
invention which list includes location information indicating the
location of an information distributing apparatus and information
indicating CM voice information;
[0196] FIG. 5 is a view showing an information reproducing
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0197] FIG. 6 is a view showing an information transmitting and
receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0198] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of a voice
information distributing system according to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0199] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a voice
information distributing system according to a third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0200] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining the
information and the flow of profits in a voice information
distribution service according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0201] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of an
information distributing system according to a fifth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0202] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the
data distributing system of the present invention; and
[0203] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing still another example of
the data distributing system of the present invention.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0204] 101a Voice information distributing server
[0205] 102a Network
[0206] 102b Network
[0207] 103a Information providing apparatus
[0208] 103b Information providing apparatus
[0209] 104a Information transmitting and receiving apparatus
[0210] 104b Information transmitting and receiving apparatus
[0211] 104c Information transmitting and receiving apparatus
[0212] 105a Information reproducing apparatus
[0213] 105b Information reproducing apparatus
[0214] 105c Information reproducing apparatus
[0215] 110 Information storing apparatus
[0216] 111 Information accepting apparatus
[0217] 112 Selected information storing apparatus
[0218] 113 Selected information accepting apparatus
[0219] 114a Distribution information storing apparatus
[0220] 115a List distributing apparatus
[0221] 116a Information distributing apparatus
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0222] (First Embodiment)
[0223] First, the structure of a voice information distributing
system of the first embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 1 which is a structural view of
the voice information distributing system of the present
embodiment. The voice information distributing system of the
present embodiment is a system of performing distribution through a
network the number of times based on a predetermined criterion.
[0224] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101a represents a server of a
service provider of a voice information distribution service
constituting the information distributing system of the first
embodiment. Reference numerals 103a and 103b represented
information providing apparatuses of providing voice information.
Reference numeral 102a represents a network of enabling
communication between the information providing apparatuses 103a
and 103b and the server 101a. Reference numeral 111 represents an
information accepting apparatus of accepting voice information
provided through the network 102a. Reference numeral 110 represents
an information storing apparatus of storing the voice information
accepted by the information accepting apparatus 111. Reference
numeral 114a represents a distribution information storing
apparatus of copying and storing, of the voice information stored
in the information storing apparatus 110, distributable voice
information. Reference numeral 113 represents a selected
information accepting apparatus of presenting a list of the voice
information stored in the information storing apparatus 110 to the
user, making the user to make a selection from the list and
accepting the selected information. Reference numeral 112
represents a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by the selected information accepting
apparatus 113. Reference numeral 115a represents a list
distributing apparatus of creating a distribution information list
based on the selected information stored in the selected
information storing apparatus 112 and the distributable voice
information stored in the distribution information storing
apparatus 114a, and distributing the list. Reference numeral 116a
represents an information distributing apparatus of reading out and
distributing the voice information stored in the distribution
information storing apparatus 114a. Reference numerals 104a, 104b
and 104c represent information transmitting and receiving
apparatuses of transmitting the selected information to the
selected information accepting apparatus 113, and receiving voice
information from the information distributing apparatus 116a based
on the distribution information list received from the list
distributing apparatus 115a. Reference numeral 102b represents a
network of enabling communication between the information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c and the
server 101a. Reference numerals 105a, 105b and 105c represent
information reproducing apparatuses of reproducing the voice
information stored in the information transmitting and receiving
apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c.
[0225] The information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a,
104b and 104c correspond to the information obtaining apparatus and
the means including the distribution requesting apparatus of the
present invention, the information reproducing apparatuses 105a,
105b and 105c correspond to the reproducing apparatus of the
present invention, and the list distributing apparatus 115a
corresponds to the individual list distributing apparatus of the
present invention. Moreover, the list of the present embodiment
corresponds to the full list of the present invention, and the
distribution information list of the present embodiment corresponds
to the individual list of the present invention.
[0226] Next, the operation of the voice information distributing
system according to the first embodiment will be described. In the
voice information distributing system according to the first
embodiment, first, a voice data file which is the substantial data
of the voice information is created by at least one information
provider. As concrete contents of the voice information, for
example, the following are considered: news; music such as latest
hit songs; English conversation lessons; radio novels; fortune
telling voices; voice diaries; voice columns on hobbies or
products. These pieces of voice information are distributed the
number of times based on a predetermined criterion. For example,
when desiring to regularly view and listen to daily news, by making
once a contract for viewing and listening, the user can receive the
distribution of the daily news every day thereafter. However, when
distribution is not always regularly performed such as in the case
of the distribution of voice columns on products, it is naturally
impossible to receive a new distribution unless the information
provider updates the voice information. Moreover, there can be
cases where it is known from the beginning that the number of times
of distribution is one.
[0227] These voice data files and additional information such as
the title, the author and the genre relating to the voice are
transmitted to the server 101a through the network 102a by the
information providing apparatuses 103a and 103b. The network 102a
is, specifically, the Internet or the like, and the information
providing apparatuses 103a and 103b are personal computers or the
like connectable to the Internet. To transmit voice data files and
additional information, file transmitting means is used such as
HTTP (hyper text transfer protocol), FTP (file transfer protocol)
or file attachment to electronic mail messages.
[0228] The information accepting apparatus 111 of the server 101a
stores the received voice data file and additional information into
the information storing apparatus 110. The information storing
apparatus 110 is, specifically, a disk server or the like.
[0229] The selected information accepting apparatus 113 presents,
on the information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a,
104b and 104c through the network 102b, a list where the voice data
files stored in the information storing apparatus 110 are
classified according to genre, author or the like based on the
additional information and the result of the classification is
edited so as to be easy to view for the user.
[0230] The selected information accepting apparatus 113 is,
specifically, a Web server (WWW server) or the like, the network
102b is, specifically, the Internet or the like, and the
information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and
104c are, specifically, personal computers or the like that connect
to the Internet and can access Web servers or the like.
[0231] The user can freely select voice information of which
distribution is desired by him or her, from the list of voice
information presented on the information transmitting and receiving
apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c. The result of the selection is
returned to the selected information accepting apparatus 113
through the network 102b, and the selected information is stored
into the selected information storing apparatus 112.
[0232] By using such a list, the user can freely select online
voice information of which distribution is desired by him or
her.
[0233] The voice data file and the additional information stored in
the information storing apparatus 110 are copied to the
distribution information storing apparatus 114a at the point of
time when becoming distributable to the user by the service
provider checking that the data contents have no problem with
distribution. The distribution information storing apparatus 114a
is, specifically, a disk server or the like.
[0234] When the voice information represented by each user's
selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus 112 and the voice information of the additional
information stored in the distribution information storing
apparatus 114a coincide with each other, the list distributing
apparatus 115a makes the coinciding voice information distributable
from the information distributing apparatus to the user's
information transmitting and receiving apparatus, and a
distribution information list is made creatable that contains the
additional information of the distributable voice information and
comprises codes enabling identification of the corresponding voice
data.
[0235] Thereafter, when the user accesses the list distributing
apparatus 115a from the information transmitting and receiving
apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c, the list distributing apparatus
115a checks whether the distribution information list is creatable
or not, and when it is creatable, the list distributing apparatus
115a distributes the distribution information list to the
information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and
104c. The information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a,
104b and 104c having received the distribution information list
successively request the information distributing apparatus 116a to
distribute the voice data files identified by the received
distribution information list.
[0236] By using such a distribution information list, the user can
freely download voice information that is made distributable,
irrespective of time and place. Moreover, since the distribution
information list is created when the list distributing apparatus is
accessed, the user can obtain the latest distribution information
list. Consequently, for example, when distribution of music such as
a latest hit song is desired, whether the distribution is possible
or not can be found only by accessing the list distributing
apparatus.
[0237] The information distributing apparatus 116a reads out from
the distribution information storing apparatus 114a the voice data
file of which distribution is requested by the information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c, and
transmits it to the information transmitting and receiving
apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c by use of the file transmitting
means such as HTTP, FTP or file attachment to electronic mail
messages.
[0238] The information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a,
104b and 104c store the received voice data file. The user can
reproduce the voice data file stored in the information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c by use
of the information reproducing apparatuses 105a, 105b and 105c.
[0239] Now, three examples of the above-described distribution
information list will be described one by one with reference to
FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0240] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the distribution
information list according to the first embodiment of the present
invention which list includes CM character information. In FIG. 2,
reference numeral 121 represents a "telop" tag indicating that the
contents are CM character information (telop information).
Reference numeral 122 represents a "message" attribute indicating
the CM character contents to be displayed.
[0241] The list distributing apparatus 115a inserts the "telop" tag
121 into the distribution information list on an instruction of the
voice information distribution service provider. The information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c
interpret the "telop" tag 121 and the "message" attribute 122, and
display it on the display portion.
[0242] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the distribution
information list according to the first embodiment of the present
invention which list includes location information indicating the
location of the list distributing apparatus. In FIG. 3, reference
numeral 131 represents a "server" attribute which is a URL (uniform
resource locator) indicating the location of the list distributing
apparatus on the Internet.
[0243] The list distributing apparatus 115a shows the URL specified
by the voice information distribution service provider in the
"server" attribute 131 of the distribution information list. The
information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and
104c interpret the "server" attribute 131, and the next and
succeeding accesses to the list distribution apparatus are made to
the list distributing apparatus shown in the "server" attribute
131.
[0244] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the distribution
information list according to the first embodiment of the present
invention which list includes location information indicating the
location of the information distributing apparatus and information
indicating CM voice information. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 141
represents an "article" tag indicating that the contents are voice
information. Reference numeral 142 represents a "filepath"
attribute which is a URL indicating the location on the Internet of
the information distributing apparatus of distributing the voice
data file. Reference numeral 143 represents a "cm" tag indicating
that the contents are CM voice information. Reference numeral 144
represents a "start" attribute and an "expire" attribute indicating
the start date and the expiration date of the period for which the
CM voice information is valid, respectively.
[0245] When voice information distributable to the information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses is generated, the list
distributing apparatus 115a adds the "article" tag 141 indicating
the corresponding voice information to the distribution information
list. When this is done, the URL of the information distributing
apparatus of distributing the voice data file of the corresponding
voice information is written into the "filepath" attribute 142. The
list distributing apparatus 115a adds the "cm" tag 143 associated
with the "article" tag of the distribution information list on an
instruction of the voice information distribution service provider.
To the "cm" tag 143, the "start" and the "expire" attributes 144
indicating the start date and the expiration date of the period for
which the CM voice information is valid are added as required as
well as the location information indicating the location of the CM
voice information.
[0246] The information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a,
104b and 104c interpret the "article" tag 141, receive voice
information from the information distributing apparatus indicated
by the "filepath" attribute 142, and store the received voice
information. In doing so, when the "cm" tag 143 is associated, the
information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and
104c receive CM voice information based on the location information
indicating the location of the CM voice information, and store the
received CM voice information.
[0247] When the voice information stored in the information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c is
reproduced by the information reproducing apparatuses 105a, 105b
and 105c, the CM voice information is passed to the information
reproducing apparatuses 105a, 105b and 105c together with the voice
information if the "cm" tag 143 is associated and the period of
validity indicated by the "start" and the "expire" attributes 144
has not expired.
[0248] On the other hand, at the information transmitting and
receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c, when the voice data file
shown in the distribution information list is received and storage
of the file is completed, of the information on the received
distribution information list, only the location information (that
is, the "filepath" attribute 142) indicating the location of the
voice data file is replaced from the information distributing
apparatus to the information transmitting and receiving apparatuses
and stored. Specifically, a replacement with address information of
the area where the file is stored is made. This enables the
received distribution information list to be effectively used as a
list for reproduction (play list).
[0249] Next, two examples associated with reproduction of the voice
data file of which storage is completed will be described one by
one with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0250] FIG. 5 is a view showing the information reproducing
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 151 represents a portable
music player. Reference numeral 152 represents a memory card of
storing the voice information stored by the information
transmitting and receiving apparatus so that the voice information
is captured into the portable music player 151. Reference numeral
153 represents a display portion of displaying the artist name, the
song name and the like on the portable music player.
[0251] With MP3 and the like which are voice data compression
formats, it is possible to incorporate ID information such as the
title and the author of the voice data in the compressed files.
[0252] Therefore, by incorporating the CM character information or
the like written in the distribution information list into part of
the voice data file when the voice data file received by the
information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and
104c are stored, CM character information can be displayed on the
display portion 153 of the portable music player 151, so that the
advertising effectiveness of the CM character information can be
enhanced.
[0253] FIG. 6 is a view showing the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 161 represents a
display screen of an information transmitting and receiving
software program executable on a personal computer. Reference
numeral 162 represents a list box of presenting the additional
information of the received voice information to the user.
Reference numeral 163 represents a reproduction button of
instructing the information reproducing apparatus to reproduce the
voice data file of the voice information selected in the list box
162. Reference numeral 164 represents a display portion of
displaying CM character information (telop information).
[0254] According to the information transmitting and receiving
software program 161, when the reproduction button 163 is operated,
the voice data file of the voice information selected in the list
box 162 is passed to a music file reproducing software program, and
reproduction of the voice is started. Since CM character
information is simultaneously displayed on the display portion 164
at this time, the user can view the CM character information
displayed on the screen at the same time while listening to the
voice on the personal computer, so that the advertising
effectiveness of the CM character information can be enhanced.
[0255] While the networks 102a and 102b are the Internet in the
above-described embodiment, they may be the public switched
telephone network, the mobile telephone network, a LAN (local area
network) or the like.
[0256] While the information providing apparatuses 103a and 103b
are personal computers connectable to the Internet, they may be
mobile telephones, personal digital assistants having a network
connection function, or the like.
[0257] Moreover, the information reproducing apparatuses 105a, 105b
and 105c maybe provided with a voice recognizing circuit so that,
when the voice data file stored in the information transmitting and
receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c is reproduced, the voice
to be reproduced is recognized and converted into character
information and the character information is displayed. For
example, (1) when the voice data file is an instrumental, the score
thereof may be displayed, and (1) when the voice data file is a
song, the lyrics thereof may be displayed.
[0258] Moreover, by the information reproducing apparatuses 105a,
105b and 105c being provided with a voice synthesizing circuit so
that the character information written in the distribution
information list is reproduced by being read out by voice when the
voice data file stored in the information transmitting and
receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c is reproduced, voice
information can be effectively reproduced from character
information having a small amount of data compared to voice
information.
[0259] Moreover, by the information reproducing apparatuses 105a,
105b and 105c being provided with a voice mixing circuit so that
another voice data file is reproduced at the same time when the
voice data file stored in the information transmitting and
receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c is reproduced, even when
the received voice data file is voice data of only human voice,
when character information is read out by voice by use of the voice
synthesizing circuit, or the like, BGM data can be reproduced with
high quality so as to be superimposed on the voice.
[0260] Moreover, by the server 101a being provided with means of
settling accounts with the users and the list distributing
apparatus 115a adding, for the users having made payments, location
information indicating the locations of other pieces of
fee-charging information to the distribution information list
instead of CM voice information on an instruction of the voice
information distribution service provider, it is possible to
distribute more detailed voice information as fee-charging
information for summary voice information, to distribute full
chorus music as fee-charging information for the introduction of
popular music, to distribute electronic textbook data as
fee-charging information for English conversation voice, or the
like.
[0261] Moreover, by the information provider adding valid region
information indicating the regions where the provided voice
information is valid to the voice data file as additional
information and providing the voice information to the information
accepting apparatus 111, by the information transmitting and
receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c used by the users
obtaining current location information by use of the GPS, the
location information service of the mobile telephone or the PHS, or
the like and transmitting the current location information when a
request for the distribution information list is made to the list
distributing apparatus 115a, and by the list distributing apparatus
115a creating the distribution information list based on the
selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus 112, the distributable voice information stored in the
distribution information storing apparatus 114a and the received
information on the current location of the information transmitting
and receiving apparatus, for example, when the user is walking or
driving a car while carrying an information transmitting and
receiving apparatus with him or her, distribution can be easily
received by extracting information on an area in the neighborhood
of the user's current location.
[0262] It is to be noted that in the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus, the area information may be extracted from the
already received and stored voice information by use of the current
location information and voice information to which the valid
region information, matching the current location information is
added may be selected at the time of voice information selection at
the selected information accepting apparatus 113.
[0263] When the addition of the valid region information and the
delivery of the current location information are performed, it is
also unnecessary that the distribution information list be created
based thereon. For example, although the distribution information
list itself does not reflect these two pieces of information and
the user cannot obtain them from the distribution information list,
only information to which the valid region information matching the
current location information is added may be distributed in the
data distribution by the data distributing apparatus. To sum up,
the valid region information indicating the region where
distribution is validly performed is added to the data that is to
be an object of distribution, the receiving side transmits the
current location information indicating the current location where
a distribution request is made, together with the distribution
request, and the data distribution by the data distributing
apparatus is performed based on the attached valid region
information and the transmitted current location information.
[0264] Moreover, according to the voice information distributing
system of the first embodiment, voice distribution information
service providers add arbitrary CM character information in
addition to the voice information provided by information
providers, so that a voice information distributing system capable
of display and offering high effectiveness of advertising can be
realized.
[0265] Moreover, according to the voice information distributing
system of the first embodiment, a highly convenient voice
information distributing system can be realized where it is
unnecessary for the user to tailor the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus even when the location of the list distributing
apparatus is changed. This is because when the location is
scheduled to be changed by the voice distribution information
service provider, information for the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus to change the list distributing apparatus to
which the distribution information list is to be distributed
thereafter is added to the distribution information list. By doing
this, the user can receive information distribution without being
conscious of the change at all. For similar reasons, according to
the voice information distributing system of the first embodiment,
a highly convenient voice information distributing system can be
realized where it is unnecessary for the user to tailor the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus even when the
locations of the information distributing apparatus and the
distribution information storing apparatus are changed.
[0266] Moreover, according to the voice information distributing
system of the first embodiment, the received distribution
information list can be effectively used as a list for reproduction
(play list) on the information transmitting and receiving
apparatus.
[0267] Moreover, according to the voice information distributing
system of the first embodiment, a voice information distributing
system can be realized where voice distribution information service
providers arbitrarily add CM voice information to the voice
information provided by information providers and the CM voice
information can be reproduced by the information reproducing
apparatus.
[0268] Moreover, according to-the voice information distributing
system of the first embodiment, a voice information distributing
system can be realized where CM voice information having expired
and become meaningless is not reproduced.
[0269] As described above, according to the voice information
distributing system of the first embodiment, a voice information
distributing system can be realized with which the user can enjoy
contents comprising voice information of contents desired by him or
her.
[0270] (Second Embodiment)
[0271] Next, the structure of a voice information distributing
system of the present embodiment will be described with reference
mainly to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a view showing the structure of the
voice information distributing system according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0272] In FIG. 7, elements 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b,
104c, 105a, 105b, 105c, and elements 111 and 113 in 101b are
similar to those of the voice information distributing system of
the first embodiment. Reference numeral 110 represents an
information storing apparatus of storing the voice information
accepted by the information accepting apparatus 111. Reference
numerals 114b and 114c represent a plurality of distribution
information storing apparatuses of copying and storing, of the
voice information stored in the information storing apparatus 110,
distributable voice information. Reference numeral 112 represents a
selected information storing apparatus of storing the selected
information accepted by the selected information accepting
apparatus 113. Reference numerals 115b and 115c represent a
plurality of list distributing apparatuses of creating a
distribution information list based on the selected information
stored in the selected information storing apparatus 112 and the
distributable voice information stored in the distribution
information storing apparatuses 114b and 114c, and distributing the
list. Reference numerals 116b and 116c represent a plurality of
information distributing apparatuses of reading out and
distributing the voice information stored in the distribution
information storing apparatuses 114b and 114c with which they are
paired.
[0273] Next, of the operation of the voice information distributing
system according to the second embodiment, only the part different
from the operation of the first embodiment will be described. In
the voice information distributing system according to the second
embodiment, the voice data file and the additional information
stored in the information storing apparatus 110 are copied to both
the distribution information storing apparatuses 114b and 114c at
the point of time when they become distributable to the user.
[0274] When the voice data file and the additional information are
copied so that the voice data file and the additional information
copied to the distribution information storing apparatus 114b and
those copied to the distribution information storing apparatus 114c
are completely the same, the information distributing apparatuses
115b and 115c can distribute completely the same voice data
files.
[0275] That is, since it is possible to arbitrarily specify the
location information indicating the location of the information
distributing apparatus on the distribution information list, it is
possible to specify a pair of the distribution information storing
apparatus and the information distributing apparatus at the
shortest distance from the user's location on the network, or when
the number of users increases and pairs of the distribution
information storing apparatus and the information distributing
apparatus are newly added, it is possible to perform specification
so that an equal load is imposed on the pairs of the distribution
information storing apparatus and the information distributing
apparatus after the addition. Consequently, the load on the
distribution information storing apparatuses, the information
distributing apparatuses and the network can be effectively
distributed.
[0276] When the voice data file and the additional information
copied to the distribution information storing apparatuses 114b and
114c are exclusively copied, the information distributing
apparatuses 115b and 115c can distribute voice data files exclusive
of each other.
[0277] That is, by making the location information indicating the
location of the information distributing apparatus vary according
to the genre, the regionality, the frequency of distribution or the
like of the voice information on the distribution information list,
the load can be distributed to a plurality of pairs of the
distribution information storing apparatus and the information
distributing apparatus without the total data amount of each piece
of voice information being increased, so that the load on the
distribution information storing apparatuses and the information
distributing apparatuses can be effectively distributed.
[0278] On the other hand, the second embodiment comprises a
plurality of list distributing apparatuses 115b and 115c. Since the
location information 131 indicating the list distributing apparatus
on the distribution information list in FIG. 3 is changeable, when
the number of list distributing apparatuses is increased with
increase in the number of users, the load on the list distributing
apparatuses can be effectively distributed by changing the location
information to the one indicating another list distributing
apparatus according to the frequency of use, the assigned
membership number or the like of the user.
[0279] To sum up, the distribution data storing apparatus and the
data distributing apparatus of the present invention are each
provided in a plural number; of the data stored in the data storing
apparatus, distributable data is copied and stored so as to be
distributed to the plural distribution data storing apparatuses;
the data distributing apparatus and the distribution data storing
apparatus have a predetermined correspondence with each other; and
the location information may be generated based on the distribution
of the distributable data to the plural distribution data storing
apparatuses. Moreover, the individual list distributing apparatus
of the present invention is provided in a plural number, and
information for the data obtaining apparatus to change the
individual list distributing apparatus to which the individual list
is to be distributed thereafter may be added to the individual
list.
[0280] As described above, according to the voice information
distributing system of the third embodiment, a voice information
distributing system can be provided where the load on the system is
distributed.
[0281] (Third Embodiment)
[0282] Next, the structure of a voice information distributing
system of the present embodiment will be described with reference
mainly to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a view showing the structure of the
voice information distributing system according to the third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0283] In FIG. 8, a difference from the first embodiment is that an
information converting apparatus 117 of enabling conversion of the
voice information format is added between the information accepting
apparatus 111 and the information storing apparatus 110.
[0284] Next, of the operation of the voice information distributing
system according to the third embodiment, only the part different
from the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
[0285] The information accepting apparatus 111 transmits the
accepted voice information to the information converting apparatus
117. By the information converting apparatus 117 converting, of the
received voice information, voice data from noncompressed data to
compressed data and storing the converted data into the information
storing apparatus 110, it is unnecessary for the information
provider to convert the format of the created voice data file, so
that a voice information distributing system capable of easily
providing voice information can be realized.
[0286] The conversion function of the information converting
apparatus 117 is not limited to conversion of the voice data from
noncompressed data to compressed data, but may be conversion of
compressed data to data of a different compression algorithm.
[0287] Moreover, it is assumed that the voice information provided
by the information provider is not a voice data file but a voice
uttered by the information provider, the information providing
apparatuses 103a and 103b are telephones for the fixed telephone
network, mobile telephones or the like and the network 102a is the
fixed telephone network, the mobile telephone network or the like.
At this time, by the information accepting apparatus 111
transmitting the accepted voice to the information converting
apparatus 117 and the information converting apparatus 117
converting the received voice into digital voice information and
storing it into the information storing apparatus 110, the
information provider can easily provide voice information by use of
already widespread fixed telephones, mobile telephones and the
like.
[0288] Moreover, when the voice information provided by the
information provider is not a voice data file but a character data
file, by the information accepting apparatus 111 transmitting the
accepted character data file to the information converting
apparatus 117 and the information converting apparatus 117
converting the received character data file into a digital voice
data file by use of a voice synthesizing circuit and storing it
into the information storing apparatus 110, the information
provider can easily provide voice information only by creating a
normal character electronic mail message, a word
processor-generated document or the like.
[0289] Such generation of voice information is not necessarily
performed immediately after the acceptance by the information
accepting apparatus but may be performed, for example, immediately
before the distribution by the information distributing apparatus.
To sum up, the data distributing system of the present invention is
provided with a data converting apparatus of converting the
provided data, and at least a principal part of the data may be
distributed as voice data through a network. It is to be noted that
the data that is to be an object of distribution may hold, as voice
data, the principal part distributed as voice data from the point
of time when it is provided by the provider.
[0290] As described above, the voice information distributing
system according to the third embodiment produces an advantageous
effect that a voice information distributing system can be provided
with which the load of creating a voice data file and converting
the information format can be reduced when the information provider
provides voice information.
[0291] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0292] Next, a voice information distribution service of the
present embodiment using the data distributing method of the
present invention will be described with reference mainly to FIG.
9. FIG. 9 is a view of assistance in explaining the flow of
information and the flow of profits in the voice information
distribution service according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0293] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 201 represents a service
provider of the voice information distribution service, reference
numeral 202 represents an information provider providing voice
information, reference numeral 204 represents an advertiser
providing CM voice information and CM character information, and
reference numeral 203 represents a user receiving the voice
information, the CM voice information and the CM character
information.
[0294] In the voice information distribution service according to
the fourth embodiment, the voice information distribution service
provider 201 provides a voice information distribution service
using the voice information distributing system described in any of
the first to the third embodiments, receives voice information from
the information provider 202 and CM voice information and CM
character information from the advertiser, and distributes a
combination of the voice information selected, the CM voice
information and the CM character information to the user 203.
Consequently, the voice information distribution service provider
201 can obtain as a profit an advertisement fee corresponding to
the number of distributions of CM information from the advertiser
204.
[0295] On the other hand, if the quality of the voice information
received from the information provider 202 is high, the number of
users 203 selecting the voice information increases, so that the
number of opportunities to distribute CM information to the user
203 increases and the voice information distribution service
provider 201 can expect increase in the advertisement fee from the
advertiser 204. Consequently, the information provider 202 can
obtain an information provision fee of high-quality voice
information as a profit from the voice information distribution
service provider 201.
[0296] It is to be noted that the voice information distribution
service provider 201 may collect an information usage fee from
users and provide such users with additional service.
[0297] As described above, the voice information distribution
service according to the fourth embodiment produces an advantageous
effect that a new information service of providing voice
information through the Internet can be realized.
[0298] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0299] FIG. 10 is a view showing the structure of an information
distributing system according to the fifth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0300] In FIG. 10, elements 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b,
104c and 101a are similar to those of the voice information
distributing system of FIG. 1. Reference numerals 106a, 106b and
106c represent information expressing apparatuses of appropriately
expressing the information stored in the information transmitting
and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and 104c, respectively.
[0301] Next, the operation of the information distributing system
according to the fifth embodiment will be described.
[0302] In the information distributing system according to the
fifth embodiment, first, a data file which is the substantial data
of the voice information is created by at least one information
providers. Concrete contents of the information include all kinds
of information handled on computers or the like such as programs,
voices, music, still images, moving images and documents.
[0303] The data files of these pieces of information and additional
information such as the titles, the authors, the genres and the
like relating to the data files are transmitted to the server 101a
through the network 102a by the information providing apparatuses
103a and 103b.
[0304] The server 101a operates completely similarly to the server
of the voice information distributing system of FIG. 1. That is,
the server 101a has no concern whether the data file to be
processed is voice data or other data.
[0305] The information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a,
104b and 104c store the received data file. The information
transmitting and receiving apparatuses also operate completely
similarly to the information transmitting and receiving apparatuses
of the voice information distributing system of FIG. 1 because they
also have no concern whether the received data file is voice data
or other kind of data.
[0306] The information expressing apparatuses 106a, 106b and 106c
are, for example, music reproducing apparatuses, image display
apparatuses, or personal computers incorporating an image display
software program, a music reproducing software program, a document
display software program or the like, and appropriately express
data files according to the kinds of the data files such as (1)
performing voice reproduction when the data file stored in the
information transmitting and receiving apparatuses 104a, 104b and
104c is voice data, (2) performing still image display when the
data file is still image data, (3) performing moving image
reproduction when the data file is moving image data, and (4)
performing document display when the data file is document data.
This enables the user to receive even distribution of large-scale
information such as programs, voices, music, still images and
moving images and use the information. It is to be noted that the
software program required by the user such as the above-mentioned
image display software program, voice reproducing software program
or document display software program may be provided from the
service provider to the user online or by mail for pay or for
free.
[0307] Moreover, by the information provider adding, as additional
information at the time of information provision, information
identifying the user to which information is distributed such as
the membership number and by the user selecting, as information of
which distribution is desired by him or her, information
identifying the user himself or herself as the user to which the
information is distributed, large-scale information can be
distributed and exchanged peer-to-peer like the exchange of
electronic mail messages from an individual to an individual.
[0308] As described above, the information distributing system of
the fifth embodiment produces an advantageous effect that an
information distributing system enabling distribution of
large-scale information can be provided.
[0309] As is apparent from the above description, the present
invention is, for example, a voice information distributing system
of individually distributing voice information to at least one user
based on selected information indicating at least one piece of
voice information individually selected by the user from among at
least one piece of voice information provided by at least one
information provider through a network, said voice information
distributing system comprising: an information providing apparatus
of providing voice information; an information accepting apparatus
of accepting the voice information provided by the information
providing apparatus; an accepted information storing apparatus of
storing the voice information accepted by the information accepting
apparatus; a selected information accepting apparatus of presenting
to the user a list of voice information stored in the information
storing apparatus, making the user to make a selection, and
accepting the information selected by the user; a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by the selected information accepting apparatus; a
distribution information storing apparatus of copying and storing,
of the voice information stored in the accepted information storing
apparatus, distributable voice information; a list distributing
apparatus of distributing a distribution information list created
based on the selected information stored in the selected
information storing apparatus and the distributable voice
information stored in the distribution information storing
apparatus; an information distributing apparatus of distributing
the distributable voice information stored in the distribution
information storing apparatus; an information transmitting and
receiving apparatus of transmitting the selected information to the
selected information accepting apparatus through the network,
receiving the voice information from the information distributing
apparatus based on the distribution information list received from
the list distributing apparatus, and storing the received voice
information; and an information reproducing apparatus of
reproducing the voice information received and stored by the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus.
[0310] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the list distributing apparatus is capable of creating a
distribution information list containing selected information
indicating information other than the voice information indicated
by the selected information stored in the selected information
storing apparatus.
[0311] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the list distributing apparatus distributes to the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus a distribution
information list containing location information indicating the
location of the information distributing apparatus, and the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus receives voice
information from the information distributing apparatus indicated
by the location information contained in the received distribution
information list and stores the received voice information.
[0312] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus
receives voice information from the information distributing
apparatus indicated by the location information contained in the
received distribution information list and stores the received
voice information, the location information contained in the
distribution information list is replaced from the information
distributing apparatus to the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus and stored, and the information reproducing
apparatus reproduces the voice information stored in the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus which voice
information is indicated by the distribution information list,
after the replacement of the location information, stored in the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus.
[0313] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus
adds the information contained in the distribution information list
to the voice information received from the information distributing
apparatus, and stores the voice information.
[0314] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus is
capable of expressing the information contained in the distribution
information list.
[0315] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the distribution information storing apparatus and the
information distributing apparatus comprise a plurality of pairs;
of the voice information stored in the accepted information storing
apparatus, the distributable voice information is stored so as to
be distributed to the plural distribution information storing
apparatuses; and the distribution information list contains the
location information of the information distributing apparatuses
paired with the plural distribution information storing apparatuses
in which the voice information is stored so as to be
distributed.
[0316] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the list distribution apparatus comprises a plurality of
list distribution apparatuses, and the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus can be instructed to receive the distribution
information list from another list distributing apparatus.
[0317] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the distribution information list contains expiration
date information of the voice information, and the information
reproducing apparatus reproduces only voice information of which
expiration date coincides with that indicated by the expiration
date information.
[0318] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information reproducing apparatus is capable of
reproducing the voice information stored in the information
transmitting and receiving apparatus after converting it to a
different information format.
[0319] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information accepting apparatus is capable of
converting the voice information provided by the information
providing apparatus to an information format storable in the
information storing apparatus.
[0320] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the network is the Internet, the information providing
apparatus is a personal computer connected to the Internet and
incorporating a software program of transmitting voice information
to the information accepting apparatus, the information accepting
apparatus and the selected information accepting apparatus are WWW
servers connected to the Internet, the list distributing apparatus
and the information distributing apparatus are file servers
connected to the Internet, the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus is a personal computer connected to the
Internet and incorporating a software program of receiving files
from the file servers, and the information reproducing apparatus is
a personal computer incorporating a voice information reproducing
software program.
[0321] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, a voice
information distribution service using the voice information
distributing system of the present invention in which selection
information indicating CM voice information, and CM character
information are contained in the distribution information list, and
by the distribution information list being distributed to the user
by the list distributing apparatus, the service provider of the
voice information distribution service obtains an advertisement fee
from the advertiser of the CM voice information and the CM
character information as an income.
[0322] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, a voice
information distribution service using the voice information
distributing system of the present invention in which with respect
to the voice information provided by the information provider, the
information provider obtains an information provision fee from the
service provider of the voice information service as an income in
accordance with the number of, of the pieces of selected
information of all the users accepted by the selected information
accepting apparatus, the pieces of selected information indicating
the voice information.
[0323] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, a voice
information distributing system of individually distributing
information to at least one user based on selected information
indicating at least one piece of information individually selected
by the user from among at least one piece of information provided
by at least one information provider through a network, said voice
information distributing system comprising: an information
providing apparatus of providing information; an information
accepting apparatus of accepting the information provided by the
information providing apparatus; an accepted information storing
apparatus of storing the information accepted by the information
accepting apparatus; a selected information accepting apparatus of
presenting to the user a list of information stored in the
information storing apparatus, making the user make a selection,
and accepting the information selected by the user; a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by the selected information accepting apparatus; a
distribution information storing apparatus of copying and storing,
of the information stored in the accepted information storing
apparatus, distributable information; a list distributing apparatus
of distributing a distribution information list created based on
the selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable information stored in the
distribution information storing apparatus; an information
distributing apparatus of distributing the distributable
information stored in the distribution information storing
apparatus; an information transmitting and receiving apparatus of
transmitting the selected information to the selected information
accepting apparatus through the network, receiving the information
from the information distributing apparatus based on the
distribution information list received from the list distributing
apparatus, and storing the received information; and an information
expressing apparatus of expressing the information received and
stored by the information transmitting and receiving apparatus.
[0324] Moreover, the present invention is, for example, such that
in the information distributing system of the present invention,
the network is the Internet, the information providing apparatus is
a personal computer connected to the Internet and incorporating a
software program of transmitting information to the information
accepting apparatus, the information accepting apparatus and the
selected information accepting apparatus are WWW servers connected
to the Internet, the list distributing apparatus and the
information distributing apparatus are file servers connected to
the Internet, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus
is a personal computer connected to the Internet and incorporating
a software program of receiving files from the file servers, and
the information expressing apparatus is a personal computer
incorporating an information expressing software program.
[0325] In the information distributing system of the present
invention, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the
individual list and the full list of the present invention are
distributed to the receiving side through the network and both of
the lists are used. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto; the information distributing system of the present
invention may have a structure such that neither or only one of
these two lists is transmitted through the network unlike the
above-described structure (the following cases are included: a case
where the object of distribution corresponding to the individual
list is, for example, delivered to the receiving side by mail; and
a case where the object of distribution corresponding to the full
list is delivered to the receiving side as an advertising leaflet
inserted in a newspaper). Further, the information distributing
system may have a structure not using at all the objects
corresponding to the lists (in this case, the user at the receiving
side appropriately determines distribution of what data he or she
desires). As described above, when a list distributed through the
network is not used, for example, when the individual list is not
used, the individual list distributing apparatus of the present
invention is unnecessary.
[0326] To sum up, the following is also included in the present
invention: a data distributing system of performing distribution of
data through a network 502 the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion as shown in FIG. 11 which is a block
diagram as an example of the data distributing system of the
present invention, said data distributing system comprising: a data
providing apparatus 503 of providing the data that is to be an
object of distribution; a data accepting apparatus 511 of accepting
the data provided by the data providing apparatus 503; a
distribution data storing apparatus 510 of storing, as
distributable data, all or part of the data accepted by the data
accepting apparatus 511; a data distributing apparatus 516 of
distributing, as voice data, at least a principal part of the
distributable data through the network 502 based on (1) a request
for distribution of data desired by a receiving side and/or (2) the
number of times; a data obtaining apparatus 504 of obtaining the
data distributed by the data distributing apparatus 516; and a
reproducing apparatus 505 of reproducing the voice data obtained by
the data obtaining apparatus 504. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 501
represents a server including the data accepting apparatus 511, the
distribution data storing apparatus 510 and the data distributing
apparatus 516.
[0327] However, as mentioned above, for the users, convenience is
improved by these lists being used. In particular, (1) when these
are regularly sent to the users by electronic mail or the like as
optional service, based on the user's request, accompanied by an
additional charge and (2) when the list itself is provided as voice
information for visually handicapped users, such convenience
improvement is remarkable.
[0328] Moreover, the full list of the present invention may
contain, for example, data that is not distributable at the point
of time when the selected information of the present invention is
accepted, but can become distributable thereafter. In such a case,
the selection of the data of which distribution is desired is (1) a
request for distribution of data which is distributable at the
point of time when the selection is made or (2) a reservation of
distribution of data which can become distributable after the point
of time when the selection is made, and the individual list
creating apparatus of the present invention may insert the reserved
data as the distributable data into the individual list created
after the point of time when the reserved data becomes
distributable.
[0329] Moreover, the individual list of the present invention may
be (1) updated based on the request for distribution from the
receiving side and distributed to the receiving side or (2)
automatically updated based on update of the distributable data and
distributed to the receiving side. It is to be noted that, since
the former service has the effect of reducing the load on the
service provider and the latter service has the effect of
increasing the load on the service provider, the latter service may
be accompanied by an additional charge to the user.
[0330] Moreover, valid region information indicating a region where
the distribution is effectively performed may be added to the data
that is to be an object of distribution of the present invention.
It is to be noted that the receiving side may transmit, together
with the request for distribution, current location information
indicating the current location where the request for distribution
is made and the distribution of the data by the data distributing
apparatus may be performed based on the added valid region
information and the transmitted current location information.
[0331] To sum up, the following is also included in the present
invention: a data distributing system, as shown in FIG. 12 which is
a block diagram of the data distributing system of the present
invention, comprising: a distribution data storing apparatus 610 of
storing, as distributable data, data that is to be an object of
distribution through a network 602; a selected information
accepting apparatus 613 of accepting selected information, from a
receiving side, for selecting identification information of the
data being desired by use of a predetermined list; a selected
information storing apparatus 612 of storing the selected
information accepted by the selected information accepting
apparatus 613; an individual list creating apparatus 615 of
creating, as an individual list, a list which is apart of the
predetermined list and at least includes identification information
of data common to the selected information stored in the selected
information storing apparatus 612 and the distributable data; a
distribution requesting apparatus 604 of identifying data of which
distribution is desired based on the created individual list, and
transmitting the data from the receiving side as a request for
distribution; and a data distributing apparatus 616 of performing
distribution of the data based on the request for distribution from
the distribution requesting apparatus 604. In FIG. 12, reference
numeral 601 represents a server 601 including the distribution data
storing apparatus 610, the selected information storing apparatus
612, the selected information accepting apparatus 613, the
individual list creating apparatus 615 and the data distributing
apparatus 616.
[0332] Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the data
distributing apparatus of the present invention performs data
distribution as download from a server based on a request from the
distribution requesting apparatus of the present invention.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto; for example,
when the data size is not very large, distribution to the user's
electronic mail box or the like may be automatically performed by
extracting the identification information of data common to the
selected information and the distributable data of the present
invention. Further, such distribution may be performed with an
additional charge as an optional service based on the user's
request. To sum up, the data distributing apparatus of the present
invention distributes, as voice data, at least a principal part of
the distributable data through the network based on (1) a request
for distribution of data of which distribution is desired by a
receiving side and/or (2) the number of times based on a
predetermined criterion. The latter data distributing apparatus is,
for example, a data distributing system comprising a distribution
data identification information accepting apparatus of accepting,
through the network, distribution data identification information,
from the receiving side, for identifying identification information
of the desired data by use of a predetermined list, characterized
in that data that is to be an object of distribution is extracted
from the stored distributable data based on the accepted
distribution data identification information and the extracted data
is distributed to the receiving side.
[0333] Moreover, in the above-described first to third embodiments
of the present invention, the distribution of the present invention
is distribution of distributable data holding at least a principal
part as voice data which distribution is performed the number of
times based on a predetermined criterion. However, the distribution
of the present invention may be, for example, distribution of data
including data other than music data as voice data which
distribution is not always performed the number of times based on
the predetermined criterion. The data, other than music data, of
the present invention includes, for example, human voices, animal's
cries, and sounds that occur in nature such as the sound of wind
and the sound of wave.
[0334] Moreover, in the above-described first to third embodiments,
the data distributing system of the present invention performs
distribution of distributable data holding at least a principal
part as voice data. However, the data distributing system of the
present invention may perform distribution of distributable data
holding data other than voice data such as image data based on the
individual list of the present invention as described in the fifth
embodiment. To sum up, the data distributing system of the present
invention may be a data distributing system comprising: a
distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as distributable
data, all or part of the data provided as data that is to be an
object of distribution through a network; a selected information
accepting apparatus of accepting selected information from a
receiving side for selecting identification information of the data
of which distribution is desired by use of a predetermined list; a
selected information storing apparatus of storing the selected
information accepted by the selected information accepting
apparatus; an individual list creating apparatus of creating an
individual list which is a part of the predetermined list and at
least includes identification information of data common to the
selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable data; a distribution requesting
apparatus of transmitting distribution of the desired data as a
request for distribution from the receiving side based on the
created individual list; and a data distributing apparatus of
performing data distribution based on the request from the
distribution requesting apparatus. By performing distribution of
the desired data based on the distribution request from the
receiving side with reference to the individual list as described
above, the user can easily obtain large-scale data such as image
data from a predetermined server. While (1) it is difficult to
distribute a large-scale file as an attachment to an electronic
mail message and (2) it is cumbersome for the user to access a
predetermined home page every time to download a desired file as
mentioned above, it is said that such a problem has been
solved.
[0335] Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the individual
list distributing apparatus of the present invention adds CM data
for making an advertisement to the individual list, and distributes
the individual list to the data obtaining apparatus. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto; the individual list
distributing apparatus of the present invention does not
necessarily add CM data. However, since the service provider can
obtain an advertisement fee corresponding to the number of
distributions of CM data from the advertiser as a profit, by adding
CM data, the operation of the system can be smoothed by
stabilization of income and expenditure.
[0336] Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the
distributable data of the present invention is data copied to the
distribution data storing apparatus after determined to be
distributable by being checked by the service provider that the
data contents have no problem with distribution. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto; the distributable data of
the present invention may be, for example, data determined to be
distributable by its date of distribution being checked by use of a
timer or the like when a plurality of pieces of data each having
its date of distribution specified is simultaneously provided by
the information provider. To sum up, the distributable data of the
present invention is data determined to be distributable based on a
predetermined criterion.
[0337] In the above description, a data distributing system for the
service provider to distribute, to the user, data provided by the
information provider is described. The data distributing apparatus
of the present invention on the side of the service provider may
be, for example, a data distributing apparatus comprising: storing
means of storing data; and distributing means of distributing data
stored in the storing means to the user's terminal through the
network, characterized in that the distribution is performed the
number of times based on a predetermined criterion as distribution
of data including voice data.
[0338] To sum up, the following is also included in the present
invention: a data distributing system comprising: storing means
(for example, the distribution data storing apparatus 510 in FIG.
11) of storing data; distributing means (for example, the data
distributing apparatus 516 in FIG. 11) of distributing data stored
in the storing means; network means (for example, the network 502
in FIG. 11) of performing the distribution of the data by the
distributing means; and terminal means (for example, the data
obtaining apparatus 504 in FIG. 11) of receiving data distributed
through the network means, characterized in that the distribution
is performed the number of times based on a predetermined criterion
as distribution of data including voice data. It is to be noted
that the following is included in the present invention: a data
distributing apparatus comprising: storing means (for example, the
distribution data storing apparatus 510 in FIG. 11) of storing
data; distributing means (for example, the data distributing
apparatus 516 in FIG. 11) of distributing data stored in the
storing means to the user's terminal (for example, the data
obtaining apparatus 504 in FIG. 11) through a network (for example,
the network 502 in FIG. 11), characterized in that the distribution
is performed the number of times based on a predetermined criterion
as distribution of data including voice data.
[0339] Moreover, the following is also included in the present
invention: a data distributing system comprising: storing means
(for example, the distribution data storing apparatus 510 in FIG.
11) of storing data; distributing means (for example, the data
distributing apparatus 516 in FIG. 11) of distributing data stored
in the storing means; network means (for example, the network 502
in FIG. 11) of performing the distribution of the data by the
distributing means; and terminal means (for example, the data
obtaining apparatus 504 in FIG. 11) of receiving data distributed
through the network means, characterized in that the distribution
is performed as distribution of data including data other than
music data as voice data. It is to be noted that the following is
included in the present invention: a data distributing apparatus
comprising: storing means (for example, the distribution data
storing apparatus 510 in FIG. 11) of storing data; distributing
means (for example, the data distributing apparatus 516 in FIG. 11)
of distributing data stored in the storing means to the user's
terminal (terminal means: for example, the data obtaining apparatus
504 in FIG. 11) through a network, characterized in that the
distribution is performed as distribution of data including data
other than music data as voice data.
[0340] Moreover, while the data distributing system is described in
the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not
limited thereto; for example, a server used therefor is included in
an example of the server of the present invention. The present
invention in this case is, for example, a server (see the server
501 in FIG. 11) of performing distribution of data through a
network the number of times based on a predetermined criterion,
said server comprising:
[0341] a data accepting apparatus of accepting provision of the
data that is to be an object of distribution;
[0342] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, all or part of the data accepted by the data
accepting apparatus; and
[0343] a data distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice
data, at least a principal part of the distributable data through
the network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired
by a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times.
[0344] Moreover, while the data distributing system is described in
the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not
limited thereto; for example, a server used therefor is included in
an example of the server of the present invention. The present
invention in this case is, for example, a server (see the server
601 in FIG. 12) comprising: a distribution data storing apparatus
of storing, as distributable data, data that is to be an object of
distribution through a network;
[0345] a selected information accepting apparatus of accepting
selected information, from a receiving side, for selecting
identification information of the data being desired by use of a
predetermined list;
[0346] a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by the selected information accepting
apparatus;
[0347] an individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an
individual list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list
and at least includes identification information of data common to
the selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable data; and
[0348] a data distributing apparatus of performing distribution of
the data based on a request for distribution of the data of which
distribution is desired which data is identified by the receiving
side based on the created individual list.
[0349] Moreover, while the data distributing system is described in
the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not
limited thereto; for example, a server used therefor is included in
an example of the server of the present invention. The present
invention in this case is, for example, a server (see 1 in FIG. 11)
comprising: storing means of storing data; and
[0350] distributing means of distributing data stored in the
storing means,
[0351] characterized in that the distribution of the data to a
terminal apparatus by the distributing means through network means
is performed the number of times based on a predetermined criterion
as distribution of data including voice data.
[0352] Moreover, while the data distributing system is described in
the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not
limited thereto; for example, a server used therefor is included in
an example of the server of the present invention. The present
invention in this case is, for example, a server (see 1 in FIG. 11)
comprising: storing means of storing data; and
[0353] distributing means of distributing data including, as voice
data, data other than music data and stored in said storing means
to a terminal through network means.
[0354] Moreover, while the data distributing system is described in
the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not
limited thereto; for example, a data providing apparatus used
therefor is included in an example of the data providing apparatus
of the present invention. The present invention in this case is,
for example, a data providing apparatus (see 1 in FIG. 11) of
providing, through a network, data that is to be an object of
distribution, to a server of performing distribution of the data to
a terminal the number of times based on a predetermined
criterion,
[0355] said server comprising:
[0356] a data accepting apparatus of accepting the data provided by
the data providing apparatus;
[0357] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, all or part of the data accepted by the data
accepting apparatus; and
[0358] a data distributing apparatus of distributing, as voice
data, at least a principal part of the distributable data through
the network based on (1) a request for distribution of data desired
by a receiving side and/or (2) the number of times.
[0359] Moreover, while the data distributing system is described in
the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not
limited thereto; for example, a data providing apparatus used
therefor is included in an example of the data providing apparatus
of the present invention. The present invention in this case is,
for example, a data providing apparatus (see FIG. 1) of providing,
through a network, data that is to be an object of distribution, to
a server of performing distribution of the data to a terminal,
[0360] said server comprising:
[0361] a distribution data storing apparatus of storing, as
distributable data, the data that is to be an object of
distribution through the network;
[0362] a selected information accepting apparatus of accepting
selected information from a receiving side for selecting
identification information of the data being desired by use of a
predetermined list;
[0363] a selected information storing apparatus of storing the
selected information accepted by the selected information accepting
apparatus;
[0364] an individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an
individual list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list
and at least includes identification information of data common to
the selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable data; and
[0365] a data distributing apparatus of performing the distribution
of the data based on a request for distribution of the data of
which distribution is desired which data is identified by the
receiving side based on the created individual list.
[0366] Moreover, while in the above-described embodiments, for
example, a case is described where as apparatuses at the receiving
side, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus 104a and
the information reproducing apparatus 105a (or the data obtaining
apparatus 504 and the reproducing apparatus 505) are separate
apparatuses, the present invention is not limited thereto; for
example, the apparatuses may be realized as an integral-type
terminal apparatus having the functions of both. As a concrete
example of such a terminal apparatus, a terminal apparatus can be
realized, for example, by structuring an apparatus comprising a
semiconductor player (see the portable music player 151 of FIG. 5)
to which a receiving function is added.
[0367] That is, such a terminal apparatus of the present invention
is, for example, a terminal apparatus of receiving distribution of
data through a network from a server of performing the distribution
of the data the number of times based on a predetermined criterion,
and reproducing the data, said apparatus comprising:
[0368] a data obtaining apparatus of obtaining at least a principal
part of the distributable data, the data distributed as voice data
from the server through the network based on (1) a request for
distribution of desired data and/or (2) the number of times;
and
[0369] a reproducing apparatus of reproducing the voice data
obtained by the data obtaining apparatus.
[0370] Moreover, another example of such a terminal apparatus of
the present invention is a terminal apparatus of receiving
distribution of data from a server comprising the following (1) to
(5) and reproducing the data: (1) a distribution data storing
apparatus of storing data that is to be an object of distribution
through a network as distributable data; (2) a selected information
accepting apparatus of accepting selected information from a
receiving side for selecting identification information of the data
being desired by use of a predetermined list; (3) a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by the selected information accepting apparatus; (4) an
individual list creating apparatus of creating, as an individual
list, a list which is a part of the predetermined list and at least
includes identification information of data common to the selected
information stored in the selected information storing apparatus
and the distributable data; and (5) a data distributing apparatus
of performing the distribution of the data based on a predetermined
request for distribution, said apparatus comprising:
[0371] a distribution requesting apparatus of identifying the data
of which distribution is desired based on the created individual
list, and transmitting the data to the server as the request for
distribution.
[0372] While in the above-described embodiments, the server of the
present invention is described as one server 101a integrally
provided with the information providing apparatus 110 to the
information distributing apparatus 116a, for example, as shown in
FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited thereto: for example,
the server may be separated into a first server (for example, a
data registering server) comprising the information accepting
apparatus 111 and the information storing apparatus 110, and a
second server (for example, a data distributing server) comprising
the selected information storing apparatus 121, the selected
information accepting apparatus 113, the distribution information
storing apparatus 114a, the list distributing apparatus 115a and
the information distributing apparatus 116a. The same applies to
the servers shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 10 and 11.
[0373] Moreover, the present invention is a program of causing
functions of all or some of the means (or apparatuses, devices,
circuits, parts or the like) of the data distributing system, the
data transmitting apparatus, the server, the data providing
apparatus, the terminal apparatus or the data reproducing terminal
apparatus of the present invention to be performed by a computer,
said program operating in concert with the computer.
[0374] Moreover, the present invention is a program of causing
operations of all or some of the steps (or processes, operations,
workings or the like) of the data distributing method of the
present invention to be performed by a computer, said program
operating in concert with the computer.
[0375] Moreover, the present invention is a medium carrying a
program of causing all or some of the operations of all or some of
the steps of the data distributing system, the data transmitting
apparatus, the server, the data providing apparatus, the terminal
apparatus or the data reproducing terminal apparatus of the present
invention to be performed by a computer, said medium being
computer-readable, said program that is read out performing the
operations in concert with the computer.
[0376] Moreover, the present invention is a medium carrying a
program of causing all or some of the functions of all or some of
the means of the data distributing method of the present invention
to be performed by a computer, said medium being computer-readable,
said program that is read out performing the functions in concert
with the computer.
[0377] Some of the means (or apparatuses, devices, circuits, parts
or the like) of the present invention and some of the steps (or
processes, operations, workings or the like) of the present
invention mean some means or steps of the plural means or steps, or
mean some functions or some operations of one means or step.
[0378] Moreover, some of the apparatuses (or devices, circuits,
parts or the like) of the present invention means some apparatuses
of the plural apparatuses, some means (or devices, circuits, parts
or the like) of one apparatus, or some functions of one means.
[0379] Moreover, a recording medium being computer-readable and on
which the program of the present invention is recorded is also
included in the present invention.
[0380] Moreover, a usage of the program of the present invention
may be such that the program is recorded on a computer-readable
recording medium and operates in concert with a computer.
[0381] Moreover, a usage of the program of the present invention
may be such that the program is transmitted over a transmission
medium, is read out by a computer and operates in concert with the
computer.
[0382] Moreover, examples of the recording medium include ROMs, and
examples of the transmission medium include transmission media such
as the Internet, light, radio waves and sound waves.
[0383] Moreover, the above-mentioned computer of the present
invention is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, but may
include firmware, an OS, and peripherals.
[0384] As described above, the structure of the present invention
may be implemented either via software or via hardware.
[0385] As described above, since the present invention is, for
example, a voice information distributing system of individually
distributing voice information to at least one user based on
selected information indicating at least one piece of voice
information individually selected by the user from among at least
one piece of voice information provided by at least one information
provider through a network, said voice information distributing
system comprising: an information providing apparatus of providing
voice information; an information accepting apparatus of accepting
the voice information provided by the information providing
apparatus; an accepted information storing apparatus of storing the
voice information accepted by the information accepting apparatus;
a selected information accepting apparatus of presenting to the
user a list of voice information stored in the information storing
apparatus, making the user make a selection, and accepting the
information selected by the user; a selected information storing
apparatus of storing the selected information accepted by the
selected information accepting apparatus; a distribution
information storing apparatus of copying and storing, of the voice
information stored in the accepted information storing apparatus,
distributable voice information; a list distributing apparatus of
distributing a distribution information list created based on the
selected information stored in the selected information storing
apparatus and the distributable voice information stored in the
distribution information storing apparatus; an information
distributing apparatus of distributing the distributable voice
information stored in the distribution information storing
apparatus; an information transmitting and receiving apparatus of
transmitting the selected information to the selected information
accepting apparatus through the network, receiving the voice
information from the information distributing apparatus based on
the distribution information list received from the list
distributing apparatus, and storing the received voice information;
and an information reproducing apparatus of reproducing the voice
information received and stored by the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus, an advantageous effect is obtained that a
voice information distributing system can be provided with which
the user can enjoy contents comprising voice information of
contents desired by him or her.
[0386] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the list distributing apparatus is capable of creating a
distribution information list containing selected information
indicating information other than the voice information indicated
by the selected information stored in the selected information
storing apparatus, an advantageous effect is obtained that a voice
information distributing system can be provided with which not only
the voice information provided by the information provider but also
other information such as CM voice information can be enjoyed.
[0387] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the list distributing apparatus distributes to the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus a distribution
information list containing location information indicating the
location of the information distributing apparatus, and the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus receives voice
information from the information distributing apparatus indicated
by the location information contained in the received distribution
information list and stores the received voice information, an
advantageous effect is obtained that a highly convenient voile
information distributing system can be provided where it is
unnecessary to tailor the information transmitting and receiving
apparatus even when the location of the list distributing apparatus
is changed.
[0388] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus
receives voice information from the information distributing
apparatus indicated by the location information contained in the
received distribution information list and stores the received
voice information, the location information contained in the
distribution information list is replaced from the information
distributing apparatus to the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus and stored, and the information reproducing
apparatus reproduces the voice information stored in the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus which voice
information is indicated by the distribution information list,
after the replacement of the location information, stored in the
information transmitting and receiving apparatus, an advantageous
effect is obtained that a voice information distributing system can
be provided where the received distribution information list is
effectively used as a reproduction order specifying list (play
list) necessary for the information reproducing apparatus.
[0389] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus
adds the information contained in the distribution information list
to the voice information received from the information distributing
apparatus, and stores the voice information, an advantageous effect
is obtained that a voice information distributing system can be
provided with which the user can enjoy displaying not only the
voice information provided by the information provider but also
other information with a music reproducer incorporating the
function of displaying the attribute information added to the voice
information.
[0390] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information transmitting and receiving apparatus is
capable of expressing the information contained in the distribution
information list, an advantageous effect is obtained that a voice
information distributing system can be provided with which the user
can enjoy at the same time information of contents other than the
contents comprising voice information of contents desired by him or
her.
[0391] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the distribution information storing apparatus and the
information distributing apparatus comprise a plurality of pairs;
of the voice information stored in the accepted information storing
apparatus, the distributable voice information is stored so as to
be dispersed to the plural distribution information storing
apparatuses; and the distribution information list contains the
location information of the information distributing apparatuses
paired with the plural distribution information storing apparatuses
in which the voice information is stored so as to be dispersed, an
advantageous effect is obtained that a voice information
distributing system can be provided where the load on the
information storing apparatus and the information distributing
apparatus is dispersed.
[0392] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the list distribution apparatus comprises a plurality of
list distribution apparatuses, and the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus can be instructed to receive the distribution
information list from another list distributing apparatus, an
advantageous effect is obtained that a voice information
distributing system can be provided where the load on the list
distributing apparatus is distributed.
[0393] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the distribution information list contains expiration
date information of the voice information, and the information
reproducing apparatus reproduces only voice information of which
expiration date coincides with that indicated by the expiration
date information, an advantageous effect is obtained that a voice
information distributing system can be provided with which contents
excluding voice information of contents unnecessary for the user
can be enjoyed.
[0394] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information reproducing apparatus is capable of
reproducing the voice information stored in the information
transmitting and receiving apparatus after converting it to a
different information format, an advantageous effect is obtained
that a voice information distributing system can be provided with
which the user can enjoy contents comprising voice information of
contents desired by him or her in a format suitable for the
situation.
[0395] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the information accepting apparatus is capable of
converting the voice information provided by the information
providing apparatus to an information format storable in the
information storing apparatus, an advantageous effect is obtained
that a voice information distributing system can be provided with
which the load of-converting the information format can be reduced
when the information provider provides voice information.
[0396] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the voice information distributing system of the present
invention, the network is the Internet, the information providing
apparatus is a personal computer connected to the Internet and
incorporating a software program of transmitting voice information
to the information accepting apparatus, the information accepting
apparatus and the selected information accepting apparatus are WWW
servers connected to the Internet, the list distributing apparatus
and the information distributing apparatus are file servers
connected to the Internet, the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus is a personal computer connected to the
Internet and incorporating a software program of receiving files
from the file servers, and the information reproducing apparatus is
a personal computer incorporating a voice information reproducing
software program, an advantageous effect is obtained that a voice
information distributing system can be provided with which the user
can easily enjoy contents comprising voice information of contents
desired by him or her by use of his or her personal computer having
the function of connecting to the Internet.
[0397] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, a
voice information distribution service using the voice information
distributing system of the present invention in which selection
information indicating CM voice information, and CM character
information are contained in the distribution information list, and
by the distribution information list being distributed to the user
by the list distributing apparatus, the service provider of the
voice information distribution service obtains an advertisement fee
from the advertiser of the CM voice information and the CM
character information as a profit, an advantageous effect is
obtained that a new information service of providing voice
information through the Internet can be realized.
[0398] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, a
voice information distribution service using the voice information
distributing system of the present invention in which with respect
to the voice information provided by the information provider, the
information provider obtains an information provision fee from the
service provider of the voice information service as a profit in
accordance with the number of, of the pieces of selected
information of all the users accepted by the selected information
accepting apparatus, the pieces of selected information indicating
the voice information, an advantageous effect is obtained that a
new information service of providing voice information through the
Internet can be realized.
[0399] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, a
voice information distributing system of individually distributing
information to at least one user based on selected information
indicating at least one piece of information individually selected
by the user from among at least one piece of information provided
by at least one information provider through a network, said
information distributing system comprising: an information
providing apparatus of providing information; an information
accepting apparatus of accepting the information provided by the
information providing apparatus; an accepted information storing
apparatus of storing the information accepted by the information
accepting apparatus; a selected information accepting apparatus of
presenting to the user a list of information stored in the
information storing apparatus, making the user make a selection,
and accepting the information selected by the user; a selected
information storing apparatus of storing the selected information
accepted by the selected information accepting apparatus; a
distribution information storing apparatus of copying and storing,
of the information stored in the accepted information storing
apparatus, distributable voice information; a list distributing
apparatus of distributing a distribution information list created
based on the selected information stored in the selected
information storing apparatus and the distributable information
stored in the distribution information storing apparatus; an
information distributing apparatus of distributing the
distributable information stored in the distribution information
storing apparatus; an information transmitting and receiving
apparatus of transmitting the selected information to the selected
information accepting apparatus through the network, receiving the
information from the information distributing apparatus based on
the distribution information list received from the list
distributing apparatus, and storing the received information; and
an information expressing apparatus of expressing the information
received and stored by the information transmitting and receiving
apparatus, an advantageous effect is obtained that an information
distributing system enabling distribution of large-scale
information can be provided.
[0400] Moreover, since the present invention is, for example, such
that in the information distributing system of the present
invention, the network is the Internet, the information providing
apparatus is a personal computer connected to the Internet and
incorporating a software program of transmitting information to the
information accepting apparatus, the information accepting
apparatus and the selected information accepting apparatus are WWW
servers connected to the Internet, the list distributing apparatus
and the information distributing apparatus are file servers
connected to the Internet, the information transmitting and
receiving apparatus is a personal computer connected to the
Internet and incorporating a software program of receiving files
from the file servers, and the information expressing apparatus is
a personal computer incorporating an information expressing
software program, an advantageous effect is obtained that an
information distributing system can be provided enabling the user
to receive distribution of large-scale information by use of his or
her personal computer having the function of connecting to the
Internet.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0401] As is apparent from the above description, the present
invention offers an advantage, for example, that a data
distributing system can be provided with which the user can enjoy
voice information comprising contents desired by him or her.
[0402] Moreover, the present invention offers an advantage, for
example, that a new data distribution service of providing voice
information through the Internet can be provided.
[0403] Moreover, the present invention offers an advantage, for
example, that a data distributing system can be provided enabling
large-scale information to be distributed without any load on the
user.
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